1From the elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I truly love.
2My dear friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and are in good health, just as your soul is prospering.
3I was very happy when some brothers came and spoke about your faithfulness to the truth, and how you continue to live in the truth.
4Nothing brings me greater joy than hearing that my children are living in the truth.
5My dear friend, you are acting faithfully in everything you do for the brothers, even for those you don't know personally.
6They have told the church about your love. You would do well to help them on their journey in a way that honors God,
7because they went out to tell people about the Name, accepting nothing from non-believers.
8Therefore, we should support people like this, so that we can be workers together for the truth.
9I wrote a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, doesn't accept our authority.
10So, if I come, I will expose the things he is doing—spreading evil gossip about us with wicked words. Not only that, but he refuses to welcome the brothers, and he stops others who want to welcome them, and even throws them out of the church.
11My dear friend, don't imitate what is evil, but what is good. Whoever does good belongs to God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.
12Everyone, and even the truth itself, speaks well of Demetrius. We also testify about him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I had many things to write to you, but I don't want to write using ink and pen.
14Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be with you. Your friends send their greetings. Greet our friends by name.