1 5 My dear friend, you show a fine loyalty in everything that you do for these our fellow-Christians, strangers though they are to you. 1 6 They have spoken of your kindness before the congregation here. Please help them on their journey in a manner worthy of the God we serve. 1 7 It was on Christ's work that they went out; and they would accept nothing from pagans. 1 8 We are bound to support such men, and so play our part in spreading the truth.
1 9 I sent a letter to the congregation, but Diotrephes, their would-be leader, Or: who enjoys being their leader. will have nothing to do with us. 1 10 If 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.
1 11 My dear friend, do not imitate bad examples, but good ones. The well-doer is a child of God; the evildoer has never seen God. 1 12 Demetrius gets a good testimonial from everybody—yes, and from the truth itself. I add my testimony, and you know that my testimony is true.