THE presbyter to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
(2)Beloved, above all things I pray that thou mayest prosper, and be in
sound health of body, even as thy soul prospereth.
(3)I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came, and bore witness to thy
truth, even as thou walkest in the truth. (4)I have no greater joy than
these tidings, that I hear my own children are walking in the truth.
(5)Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever services thou performest
for the brethren, and for strangers; (6)who have borne testimony to thy
love before the church; to whom thou wilt perform a good act of service
in forwarding them on their journey, in a manner worthy of God. (7)For
on account of his name they went forth, receiving nothing from the
heathen. (8)We therefore ought to assist such men, that we may become
fellow-labourers in the truth.
(9)I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who affects pre-eminence
over them, receiveth us not. (10)Therefore if I come I will remember
his works which he doth, with wicked words prating against us; and not
content with these things, neither doth he himself receive the
brethren, and those who are willing he hindereth, and casteth them out
of the church. (11)Beloved, be not an imitator of what is evil, but of
that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth
evil hath not seen God.
(12)Demetrius hath a good testimony from all men, and from the truth
itself: and we also bear our testimony, and ye know that our testimony
is true.
(13)I had many things to write; but I would not write to thee with ink
and pen: (14)but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak mouth
to mouth.
Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.