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

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

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

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

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

⁶They 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 ,

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

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

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

¹⁰Therefore , if I come , I will call attention to his deeds which he does , unjustly accusing us with wicked words . Not content with this , he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would , he forbids and throws out of the assembly .

¹¹Beloved, 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 .

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

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

¹⁴but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face .

Peace be to you . The friends greet you . Greet the friends by name.