| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 1The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth: | 1From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love in truth. |
| 2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. | 2Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. |
| 3For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk. | 3For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth. |
| 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. | 4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth. |
| 5Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. | 5Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers). |
| 6They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. | 6They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. |
| 7For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. | 7For they have gone forth on behalf of "The Name," accepting nothing from the pagans. |
| 8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth. | 8Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth. |
| 9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction. | 9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. |
| 10So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church. | 10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing--the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church! |
| 11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. | 11Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God. |
| 12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true. | 12Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true. |
| 13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink. | 13I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink. |
| 14Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name. | 14But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name. |
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