Chronological

¹ The elder, To the elect Lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not only me but also all who have known the truth

² for the truth’s sake, which dwells in us and shall be with us forever:

³ Grace be with you, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, with truth and love.

⁴ I rejoiced greatly that I found some of your children walking in truth, as per the Commandment we have received from the Father.

⁵ And now I encourage you, Lady, (not as writing a new Commandment to you, but the same which we had from the beginning) that we love one another.

⁶ And this is the love that we should walk in: His Commandments. This is the Commandment. As you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

⁷ For many deceivers have entered into this world, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Such a one is a deceiver and an Antichrist.

⁸ Watch yourselves, so that we do not lose the things which we have done. But that we may receive a full reward.

⁹ Whoever transgresses, and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. The one who continues in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, neither greet him nor receive him into your house.

¹¹ For the one who greets him shares in his evil deeds. Although I had many things to write to you, I would rather not write with paper and ink. But I trust to come to you and speak mouth to mouth, so that our joy may be full.

¹² The sons of your elect Sister greet you. Amen.

¹ The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:

² Beloved, I wish chiefly that you prosper and fare well as your soul prospers.

³ For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you; how you walk in the truth.

⁴ I have no greater joy than these: to hear that my sons walk in truth.

⁵ Beloved, you faithfully do whatever you do for the brother and for strangers;

⁶ who bore witness of your love before the churches. If you bring them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you shall do well.

⁷ Because, they went forth for His Name’s sake and took nothing from the Gentiles.

⁸ Therefore, we ought to receive such, so that we might be helpers to the Truth.

⁹ I wrote to the church. But Diotrephes (who loves to have the pre-eminence among them) will not receive us.

¹⁰ Therefore, if I come, I will remind you of his deeds which he does - prattling against us with malicious words - and not content with this, he not only does not receive the brothers himself, but forbids those who would and thrusts them out of the church.

¹¹ Beloved, do not follow that which is evil, but that which is good. The one who does well is of God. But the one who does evil has not seen God.

¹² Demetrius has good report of all, and of the truth itself. Indeed, and we ourselves bear witness. And you know that our witness is true.

¹³ I have many things to write. But I will not write to you with ink and pen.

¹⁴ For I trust I shall shortly see you. And we shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be with you. The friends salute you. Greet your friends by name.