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

The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

2 B eloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 F or I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

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

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Gaius Commended for Generosity

5 B eloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

6 T hey have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,

who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

7 b ecause for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 W e therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

10 T herefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

11 B eloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

12 D emetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true. Farewell Greeting

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

14 b ut I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.