1 T he elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

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

2 B eloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

3 F or I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

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

5 B eloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;

6 W hich have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

7 B ecause that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

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

Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.

10 W herefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 B eloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

12 D emetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, 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 not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

14 B ut 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 shortly, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.