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

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the 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 wish above all things that 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 the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

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

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in 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 faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

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.

Which 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:

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

Because that for his name's sake 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 receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to 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 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.

Wherefore, 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.

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, 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.

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 good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record 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, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

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 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.