Salutation

11 I, a ruler in the church, send word to the noble sister who is of God's selection, and to her children, for whom I have true love; and not only I, but all who have knowledge of what is true; 2 Because of this true knowledge which is in us, and will be with us for ever: 3 May grace, mercy, and peace be with us from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in all true love.

Abide in the Doctrine of Christ

4 It gave me great joy to see some of your children walking in the true way, even as we were ordered to do by the Father.

5 And now, my sister, I make a request to you, not sending you a new law, but the law which we had from the first, that we have love for one another. 6 And love is the keeping of his laws. This is the law which was given to you from the first, so that you might keep it.

7 Because a number of false teachers have gone out into the world, who do not give witness that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Such a one is a false teacher and Antichrist. 8 Keep watch over yourselves, so that you do not make our work of no effect, but may get your full reward. 9 Anyone who goes on and does not keep to the teaching of Christ, has not God: he who keeps to the teaching has the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you not having this teaching, do not take him into your house or give him words of love: 11 For he who gives him words of love has a part in his evil works.

Final Greetings

12 Having much to say to you, it is not my purpose to put it all down with paper and ink: but I am hoping to come to you, and to have talk with you face to face, so that your joy may be full. 13 The children of your noble sister, who is of God's selection, send you their love.

Salutation

11 I, a ruler in the church, send word to the well loved Gaius, for whom I have true love. 2 My loved one, it is my prayer that you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does well.

3 For it gave me great joy when some of the brothers came and gave witness that you had the true faith and were walking in the true way. 4 I have no greater joy than to have news that my children are walking in the true way.

Gaius' Hospitality Commended

5 My loved one, you are doing a good work in being kind to those brothers who come from other places; 6 Who have given witness to the church of your love for them: and you will do well to send them on their way well cared for, as is right for servants of God: 7 For they went out for love of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 So it is right for us to take in such men as guests, so that we may take our part in the work of the true faith.

The Opposition of Diotrephes

9 I sent a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, whose desire is ever to have the first place among them, will not have us there. 10 So if I come, I will keep in mind the things he does, talking against us with evil words: and as if this was not enough, he does not take the brothers into his house, and those who are ready to take them in, he keeps from doing so, putting them out of the church if they do.

The Good Report concerning Demetrius

11 My loved one, do not be copying what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: he who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has the approval of all men and of what is true: and we give the same witness, and you are certain that our witness is true.

Final Greetings

13 I had much to say to you, but it is not my purpose to put it all down with ink and pen: 14 But I am hoping to see you in a short time, and to have talk with you face to face. 15 May you have peace. Your friends here send you their love. Give my love to our friends by name.