— select-a-version↑ 1.
1THE ELDER
to dear Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2My dear Gaius, I pray that you may enjoy good health, and that all may go well with you, as I know it goes well with your soul. 3I was delighted when friends came and told me how true you have been; indeed you are true in your whole life. 4Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are living by the truth.
5My dear friend, you show a fine loyalty in everything that you do for these our fellow-Christians, strangers though they are to you. 6They have spoken of your kindness before the congregation here. Please help them on their journey in a manner worthy of the God we serve. 7It was on Christ's work that they went out; and they would accept nothing from pagans. 8We are bound to support such men, and so play our part in spreading the truth.
9I sent a letter to the congregation, but Diotrephes, their would-be leader, will have nothing to do with us. 10If I come, I will bring up the things he is doing. He lays baseless and spiteful charges against us; not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive our friends, and he interferes with those who would do so, and tries to expel them from the congregation.
11My dear friend, do not imitate bad examples, but good ones. The well-doer is a child of God; the evildoer has never seen God.
12Demetrius gets a good testimonial from everybody—yes, and from the truth itself. I add my testimony, and you know that my testimony is true.
13I have much to write to you, but I do not care to set it down with pen and ink. 14I hope to see you very soon, and we will talk face to face. 15Peace be with you. Our friends send their greetings. Greet our friends one by one.