Chronological

¹ The ancient to the lady Elect, and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth,

² For the sake of the truth which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

³ Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father; in truth and charity.

⁴ I was exceeding glad, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

⁵ And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

⁶ And this is charity, that we walk according to his commandments. For this is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same:

⁷ For many seducers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a seducer and an antichrist.

⁸ Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

⁹ Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son.

¹⁰ If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him, God speed you.

¹¹ For he that saith unto him, God speed you, communicateth with his wicked works.

¹² Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you, and speak face to face: that your joy may be full.

¹³ The children of thy sister Elect salute thee.

¹ The ancient to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

² Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously, and fare well as thy soul doth prosperously.

³ I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

⁴ I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.

⁵ Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren, and that for strangers,

⁶ Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the church: whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God.

⁷ Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

⁸ We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.

⁹ I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us.

¹⁰ For this cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth, with malicious words prating against us. And as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the church.

¹¹ Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good, is of God: he that doth evil, hath not seen God.

¹² To Demetrius testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself, yea and we also give testimony: and thou knowest that our testimony is true.

¹³ I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee.

¹⁴ But I hope speedily to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.