Greeting

¹ From the church leader.^[a]

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love because we share the truth.

Encouragement for Gaius

² Dear friend, I know that you are spiritually well. I pray that you’re doing well in every other way and that you’re healthy. ³ I was very happy when some believers came and told us that you are living according to the truth. ⁴ Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

⁵ Dear friend, you are showing your faith in whatever you do for other believers, especially when they’re your guests. ⁶ These believers have told the congregation about your love. You will do well to support them on their trip in a way that proves you belong to God. ⁷ After all, they went on their trip to serve the one named Christ, and they didn’t accept any help from the people to whom they went. ⁸ We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.

Criticism of Diotrephes

⁹ I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won’t accept us. ¹⁰ For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he’s doing. He’s not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers ⌞we send⌟ as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation.

Praise for Demetrius

¹¹ Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.

¹² Everyone, including the truth itself, says good things about Demetrius. We also say good things about him, and you know that what we say is true.

Farewell

¹³ I have a lot to write to you. However, I would rather not write. ¹⁴ I hope to visit you very soon. Then we can talk things over personally.

¹⁵ Peace be with you! Your friends here send you their greetings. Greet each of our friends by name.