1:1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. |
1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and remain in good health, just as your soul prospers. |
1:3 For I felt very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, namely, how you walk in truth. |
1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. |
1:5 Beloved, you act faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they have seemed strangers; |
1:6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. |
1:7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. |
1:8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may act as fellow workers with the truth. |
1:9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to place himself as first among them, does not accept what we say. |
1:10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. |
1:11 Beloved, do not imitate evil, but good The one who does good comes from God; the one who does evil has not seen God. |
1:12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony rings true. |
1:13 I had many things to write to you, but I do not want to write them to you with pen and ink; |
1:14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. |