Greeting to Gaius from the Elder 1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers. 3For I rejoiced exceedingly when [the] brethren came and bore testimony to thy [holding fast the] truth, even as thou walkest in truth. 4I have no greater joy than these things that I hear of my children walking in the truth. Gaius' Example of Hospitality 5Beloved, thou doest faithfully [in] whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers, 6(who have witnessed of thy love before [the] assembly,) in setting forward whom on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well; 7for for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations. 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth. Diotrephes and Demetrius 9I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, receives us not. 10For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts [them] out of the assembly. 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God. 12Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true. Conclusion 13I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee; 14but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. [15] Peace [be] to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name. |
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