1 ¶ The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

2 B eloved, I wish that thou be prospered in all things and be sound, even as thy soul prospers.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

3 ¶ For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou dost walk in the truth.

For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my sons walk in the truth.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

5 B eloved, thou doest faithfully whatever thou doest regarding the brethren and with the strangers,

Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

6 w ho have borne witness of thy charity before the congregation, whom if thou wilt help them as is convenient according to God, thou shalt do well;

They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,

7 b ecause for his name’s sake, they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 W e, therefore, ought to receive such, that we might be fellow workers to the truth.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9 ¶ I wrote unto the congregation, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, did not receive us.

I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

10 T herefore, if I come, I will cause his deeds to be understood, speaking against us with malicious words, and not content with this, he does not receive the brethren and forbids those that desire to receive them and casts them out of the congregation.

Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

11 B eloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God, but he that does evil has not seen God.

Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

12 ¶ Everyone gives testimony of Demetrius, even the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and ye have known that our witness is true.

Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee,

I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

14 F or I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.