El anciano^a al amado Gayo^b, a quien yo amo en verdad^c.

2 Amado, ruego que seas prosperado en todo así como prospera tu alma, y que tengas buena salud. 3 Pues me alegré mucho^a cuando algunos hermanos vinieron y dieron testimonio¹ de tu verdad^b, esto es, de cómo andas en la verdad. 4 No tengo mayor gozo queeste: oír¹ que mis hijos^a andan en la verdad^b.

5 Amado, estás obrando fielmente en lo que haces por los hermanos^a, y sobre todo cuando se trata de extraños^b; 6 pues ellos dan testimonio de tu amor ante la iglesia. Harás bien en ayudarles a proseguir su viaje^1a de una manera digna de Dios^b. 7 Pues ellos salieron por amor al Nombre^a, no aceptando nada de los gentiles^b. 8 Por tanto, debemos acoger a tales hombres¹, para que seamos colaboradores en pro de la verdad.

9 Escribí algo a la iglesia, pero Diótrefes, a quien le gusta ser el primero entre ellos^a, no acepta lo que decimos¹. 10 Por esta razón, si voy^a, llamaré la atención a¹ las obras que hace, acusándonos injustamente con palabras maliciosas; y no satisfecho con esto, él mismo no recibe^b a los hermanos^c, se lo prohíbe a los que quieren hacerlo y los expulsa de la iglesia^d.

11 Amado, no imites lo malo sino lo bueno^a. El que hace lo bueno es de Dios^b; el que hace lo malo no ha visto a Dios^c. 12 Demetrio tiene¹ buen testimonio de parte de todos^a y de parte de la verdad misma; también nosotros damos testimonio y tú sabes que nuestro testimonio es verdadero^b.

13 Tenía muchas cosas que escribirte^a, pero no quiero escribírtelas con pluma y tinta, 14 pues espero verte en breve y hablaremos cara a cara¹.

15 La paz sea contigo^a. Los amigos te saludan. Saluda a los amigos, a cada uno por nombre^b.

^aThe elder of the church addresses this letter to the beloved and esteemed ^bGaius, whom I ^clove in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health physically, just as I know your soul prospers spiritually. 3 For I ^awas greatly pleased when some of the ^bbrothers came from time to time and testified to your faithfulness to the truth of the gospel message, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that ^amy spiritual children are ^bliving their lives in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in what you are providing for the ^abrothers, and especially when they are ^bstrangers; 6 and they have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to assist them and ^asend them on their way in a manner ^bworthy of God. 7 For these traveling missionaries went out for the sake of ^athe Name of Christ, ^baccepting nothing in the way of assistance from the Gentiles. 8 So we ought to support such people welcoming them as guests and providing for them, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth that is, for the gospel message of salvation.

9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to ^aput himself first, does not accept what we say and refuses to recognize my authority. 10 For this reason, ^aif I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, unjustly accusing us with wicked words and unjustified charges. And not satisfied with this, he refuses to ^breceive the missionary ^cbrothers himself, and also forbids those who want to welcome them and ^dputs them out of the church.

11 Beloved, ^ado not imitate what is evil, but imitate what is good. ^bThe one who practices good exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity is of God; ^cthe one who practices or permits or tolerates evil has not seen God he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all. 1+@John 3:6 12 Demetrius ^ahas received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth the standard of God’s word itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and ^byou know that our testimony is true.

13 ^aI had many things to say when I began to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and ¹black (ink) ; 14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak ¹face to face. Num 12:8

15 ^aPeace be to you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends personally ^bby name.