1 T he elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

The church leader writes to the much-loved Gaius. I love you because of the truth.

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

Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way. I pray that your body is strong and well even as your soul is.

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

I was very happy when some Christians came and told me about how you are following the truth.

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

I can have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

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

Dear friend, you are doing a good work by being kind to the Christians, and for sure, to the strangers.

6 a nd 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.

They have told the church about your love. It will be good for you to help them on their way as God would have you.

7 F or they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

These people are working for the Lord. They are taking nothing from the people who do not know God.

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

So we should help such people. That way we will be working with them as they teach the truth.

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

I wrote a letter to the church. But Diotrephes wants to be the leader and put himself first. He will have nothing to do with us.

10 F or 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.

So if I come, I will show what he is doing by the bad things he is saying about us. Not only that, he will not take the Christian brothers into his home. He keeps others from doing it also. When they do, he puts them out of the church.

11 B eloved, 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.

Dear friend, do not follow what is sinful, but follow what is good. The person who does what is good belongs to God. The person who does what is sinful has not seen God.

12 D emetrius 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.

Everyone speaks good things about Demetrius. The truth itself speaks for him. We say the same thing also and you know we are speaking the truth.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink;

I have much to write about but I do not want to write it in this letter.

14 b ut 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.

I hope to see you soon and then we can talk together. May you have peace. The friends here greet you. Greet each friend there by name.