| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. | 1The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth: |
| 2Dear 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. | 2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. |
| 3It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. | 3For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. |
| 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. | 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. |
| 5Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. | 5Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. |
| 6They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. | 6They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. |
| 7It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. | 7For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. |
| 8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. | 8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth. |
| 9I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. | 9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. |
| 10So when I come, 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. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. | 10So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church. |
| 11Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. | 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. |
| 12Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone--and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. | 12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true. |
| 13I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. | 13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. |
| 14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name. | 14Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name. |
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