1The elder to my dear friend, Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2Beloved, I hope all is well with you; and that you are in good health, just as you are strong in spirit.

3For it gave me great joy when some believers returned and told me of your faithfulness, saying you continue to walk faithfully in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5Dear friend, you are being faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6They have told the church of your love. Please send them on their journey in a way that honors and pleases God; 7Because it was for His name's sake that they went out, accepting nothing from the Gentiles (pagans). 8We, therefore, ought to support them so that we might be their partners as they labor to teach the truth.

9I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being their leader, refuses to accept us. 10So, when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing - spreading malicious slander and nonsense about us - and not being content with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers, and stops those that would welcome them, and puts them out of the church. 11Dear friend, do not follow his bad example, but do what is good. Those that do good are of God, but those that do evil have not known God.

12Demetrius is of good repute by everyone, and even by the truth itself. And we also speak well of him; and you know that our testimony is true.

13I have much more to say, but I will not write it to you with ink and pen, 14But I hope that I shall see you shortly, that we may speak face to face. Peace be to you. Our friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.