1From:a The Elder

To: My dear friend Gaius, whom I genuinely love.

Encouragement for Gaius

2Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way and that you are healthy, just as your soul is healthy. 3I was overjoyed when some brothers arrived and testified about your truthfulness and how you live according to the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

5Dear friend, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers. 6They have testified before the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7After all, they went on their trip for the sake of the Name,b accepting no support from gentiles. 8Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can become genuine helpers with them.

Criticism of Diotrephes

9I wrote a letterc to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, will not recognize our authority.d 10For this reason, when I come I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with that, he refuses to receive the brothers. He even tries to stop those who want to accept theme and throws them out of the church.

Praise for Demetrius

11Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The person who does what is good is from God. The person who does what is evil has never seen God. 12Demetrius has received a good report from everyone, including the truth itself. We, too, can testify to this report, and you know that our testimony is true.

Final Greeting

13Although I have a great deal to write to you,f I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14Instead, I hope to see youg soon and speak face to face.

[15] May peace be with you!h Your friends greet you.i Greetj each of our friends by name.