1 E l anciano al amado Gayo, a quien yo amo en verdad. El buen testimonio de Gayo

The elderly elder to the beloved (esteemed) Gaius, whom I truly love.

2 A mado, ruego que seas prosperado en todo así como prospera tu alma, y que tengas buena salud.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and may keep well, even as your soul keeps well and prospers.

3 P ues me alegré mucho cuando algunos hermanos vinieron y dieron testimonio de tu verdad, esto es, de cómo andas en la verdad.

In fact, I greatly rejoiced when the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth.

4 N o tengo mayor gozo que éste: oír que mis hijos andan en la verdad.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are living their lives in the Truth.

5 A mado, estás obrando fielmente en lo que haces por los hermanos, y sobre todo cuando se trata de extraños;

Beloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the brethren, and strangers.

6 p ues ellos dan testimonio de tu amor ante la iglesia. Harás bien en ayudarles a proseguir su viaje de una manera digna de Dios.

They have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey in a way worthy of God’s.

7 P ues ellos salieron por amor al Nombre, no aceptando nada de los gentiles.

For these have gone out for the Name’s sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites).

8 P or tanto, debemos acoger a tales hombres, para que seamos colaboradores en pro de la verdad. El mal testimonio de Diótrefes

So we ourselves ought to support such people, in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers.

9 E scribí algo a la iglesia, pero Diótrefes, a quien le gusta ser el primero entre ellos, no acepta lo que decimos.

I have written briefly to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to take the lead among them and put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority and refuses to accept my suggestions or to listen to me.

10 P or esta razón, si voy, llamaré la atención a las obras que hace, acusándonos injustamente con palabras maliciosas; y no satisfecho con esto, él mismo no recibe a los hermanos, se lo prohíbe a los que quieren hacerlo y los expulsa de la iglesia. Elogio de Demetrio

So when I arrive, I will call attention to what he is doing, his boiling over and casting malicious reflections upon us with insinuating language. And not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive and welcome the brethren himself, and also interferes with and forbids those who would welcome them, and tries to expel (excommunicate) them from the church.

11 A mado, no imites lo malo sino lo bueno. El que hace lo bueno es de Dios; el que hace lo malo no ha visto a Dios.

Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God.

12 D emetrio tiene buen testimonio de parte de todos y de parte de la verdad misma; también nosotros damos testimonio y tú sabes que nuestro testimonio es verdadero. Despedida

Demetrius has warm commendation from everyone—and from the Truth itself; we add our testimony also, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 T enía muchas cosas que escribirte, pero no quiero escribírte las con pluma y tinta,

I had much to write, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (a reed) and ink;

14 p ues espero verte en breve y hablaremos cara a cara. La paz sea contigo. Los amigos te saludan. Saluda a los amigos, a cada uno por nombre.

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face. Peace be to you! (Good-bye!) The friends here send you greetings. Remember me to the friends there by name.