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

Beloved, I wish chiefly that you prosper and fare well as your soul prospers.

For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you; how you walk in the truth.

I have no greater joy than these: to hear that my sons walk in truth.

Beloved, you faithfully do whatever you do for the brother and for strangers;

who bore witness of your love before the churches. If you bring them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you shall do well.

Because, they went forth for His Name’s sake and took nothing from the Gentiles.

Therefore, we ought to receive such, so that we might be helpers to the Truth.

I wrote to the church. But Diotrephes (who loves to have the pre-eminence among them) will not receive us.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will remind you of his deeds which he does - prattling against us with malicious words - and not content with this, he not only does not receive the brothers himself, but forbids those who would and thrusts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not follow that which is evil, but that which is good. The one who does well is of God. But the one who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has good report of all, and of the truth itself. Indeed, and we ourselves bear witness. And you know that our witness is true.

13 I have many things to write. But I will not write to you with ink and pen.

14 For I trust I shall shortly see you. And we shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be with you. The friends salute you. Greet your friends by name.

The elder,(A)

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers(B) came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.(C) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children(D) are walking in the truth.(E)

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a](F) even though they are strangers to you.(G) They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way(H) in a manner that honors(I) God. It was for the sake of the Name(J) that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.(K) We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come,(L) I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers.(M) He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.(N)

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.(O) Anyone who does what is good is from God.(P) Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.(Q) 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone(R)—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.(S)

13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.(T)

15 Peace to you.(U) The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.(V)

Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:5 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.