Salutation

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

Gaius Commended for His Hospitality

2Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3I was overjoyed when some of the friends[a] arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends,[b] even though they are strangers to you; 6they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; 7for they began their journey for the sake of Christ,[c] accepting no support from non-believers.[d] 8Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the friends,[e] and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12Everyone has testified favorably about Demetrius, and so has the truth itself. We also testify for him,[f] and you know that our testimony is true.

Final Greetings

13I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

15Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name.