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¹ The PRESBYTER to my dear Gaius, whom I truly love. ² I wish, my beloved, you may be as prosperous with regard to your health and other circumstances, as in what concerns your soul.

³ For I was greatly pleased when the brethren came and assured me of your fidelity and religious conduct. ⁴ greater joy I cannot have, than to hear that my children are attach'd to the truth. ⁵ My dear child, whatever you do in behalf of the brethren, and of those who are strangers, is commendable. ⁶ they have made a publick declaration of your charity, and you will do well to accompany them in the most effectual manner. ⁷ for they set out upon account of the gospel, and refus'd to take any thing of the Gentiles. ⁸ it behoves us to give a kind reception to such, that we may be assistant in promoting the truth.

⁹ I have writ to the church: but Diotrephes, who affects the superiority, has no regard to our representations. ¹⁰ for which reason, when I come, I shall animadvert upon his conduct, and the malicious aspersions he casts upon us: not contented with this, he will neither receive the brethren himself, nor suffer those who are better inclin'd, to do it; but drives them out of the church. ¹¹ my beloved, don't imitate vice, but virtue. he that does good, is a child of God: he that does evil, is not acquainted with God.

¹² Demetrius has the applauses of all men, and the testimony of his own virtue: we likewise certify in his behalf, and you know that our testimonial deserves credit. ¹³ I have many things to write, which I don't think fit to commit to paper and ink: ¹⁴ hoping I shall shortly see you, and then communicate them in person.

¹⁵ peace be with you. your friends here salute you. salute all our friends, in particular.