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

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

2 D ear 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.

Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

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

For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

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

Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

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

Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;

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

who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:

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

because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

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

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

9 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.

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

10 S o 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.

Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.

11 D ear 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.

Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12 E veryone 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.

Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness: and thou knowest that our witness is true.

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

I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:

14 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.

but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.