¹ From the Elder.^[a]

To the chosen lady^[b] and her children:

I love all of you in the truth,^[c] and all those who know the truth love you. ² We love you because of the truth that lives in us and will be with us forever.

³ Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, will be with us in truth and love.

⁴ I was very happy to learn that some of your children are following the way of truth, as the Father commanded us. ⁵ And now, dear lady, this is not a new command but is the same command we have had from the beginning. I ask you that we all love each other. ⁶ And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.

⁷ Many false teachers are in the world now who do not confess that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human. Anyone who does not confess this is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ. ⁸ Be careful yourselves that you do not lose everything you^[d] have worked for, but that you receive your full reward.

⁹ Anyone who goes beyond Christ’s teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome or accept that person into your house. ¹¹ If you welcome such a person, you share in the evil work.

¹² I have many things to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so we can be full of joy. ¹³ The children of your chosen sister^[e] greet you.

¹ From the Elder.^[a]

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth:^[b]

² My dear friend, I know your soul is doing fine, and I pray that you are doing well in every way and that your health is good. ³ I was very happy when some brothers and sisters came and told me about the truth in your life and how you are following the way of truth. ⁴ Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are following the way of truth.

⁵ My dear friend, it is good that you help the brothers and sisters, even those you do not know. ⁶ They told the church about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way worthy of God. ⁷ They started out in service to Christ, and they have been accepting nothing from nonbelievers. ⁸ So we should help such people; when we do, we share in their work for the truth.

⁹ I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be their leader, will not listen to us. ¹⁰ So if I come, I will talk about what Diotrephes is doing, about how he lies and says evil things about us. But more than that, he refuses to accept the other brothers and sisters; he even stops those who do want to accept them and puts them out of the church.

¹¹ My dear friend, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. The one who does good belongs to God. But the one who does evil has never known God.

¹² Everyone says good things about Demetrius, and the truth agrees with what they say. We also speak well of him, and you know what we say is true.

¹³ I have many things I want to write you, but I do not want to use pen and ink. ¹⁴ I hope to see you soon and talk face to face. ¹⁵ Peace to you. The friends here greet you. Please greet each friend there by name.