1 E l anciano a Gayo, el amado, a quien amo en la verdad.

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

2 A mado, deseo que seas prosperado en todo, y que tengas salud, a la vez que tu alma prospera.

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 yo me regocijé mucho cuando los hermanos vinieron y dieron testimonio de tu fidelidad, y 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 oír que mis hijos andan en la verdad. Elogio de la hospitalidad de Gayo

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

5 A mado, procedes fielmente cuando prestas algún servicio a los hermanos, especialmente a los desconocidos,

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

6 l os cuales han dado testimonio de tu amor, ante la iglesia. Bien harás en encaminarlos para que continúen su viaje, como lo merece su servicio a 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 orque por amor al Nombre ellos se pusieron en camino, sin aceptar nada de los paganos.

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 N osotros, pues, debemos acoger a tales personas, para que seamos colaboradores con la verdad. La oposición 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 Y o le he escrito a la iglesia; pero Diótrefes, a quien le gusta tener el primer lugar entre ellos, no nos recibe.

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 causa, cuando yo vaya, haré mención de lo que hace, pues anda hablando mal de nosotros. Y no contento con esto, no recibe a los hermanos, y a los que quieren recibirlos les prohíbe hacerlo y los expulsa de la iglesia. Buen testimonio acerca 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, pero 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 T odos dan buen testimonio de Demetrio, incluso la verdad misma. También nosotros damos ese testimonio, y ustedes saben que nuestro testimonio es verdadero. Saludos finales

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 Y o tenía muchas otras cosas que escribirte, pero no quiero escribírtelas con tinta y pluma,

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

14 p ues espero verte pronto y hablaremos cara a cara. Que la paz sea contigo. Los amigos te saludan. Saluda tú a los amigos, a cada uno en particular.

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.