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

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, as indeed you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, even though they are strangers, 6 who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to help them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, 7 for they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not welcome us. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing: he speaks against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not welcome the brothers himself, and he stops those who want to receive them and expels those people from the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has been commended by everyone, and by the truth itself. We also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you with ink and pen. 14 But I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.

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