[0] Little children, keep yourselves from idols. [1] The elder to the
beloved Ga'ius, whom I love in the truth. [2] Beloved, I pray that all may
go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with
your soul. [3] For I greatly rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and
testified to the truth of your life, as indeed you do follow the truth. [4]
No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the
truth. [5] Beloved, it is a loyal thing you do when you render any service
to the brethren, especially to strangers, [6] who have testified to your
love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey as
befits God's service. [7] For they have set out for his sake and have
accepted nothing from the heathen. [8] So we ought to support such men,
that we may be fellow workers in the truth. [9] I have written something to
the church; but Diot'rephes, who likes to put himself first, does not
acknowledge my authority. [10] So if I come, I will bring up what he is
doing, prating against me with evil words. And not content with that, he
refuses himself to welcome the brethren, and also stops those who want to
welcome them and puts them out of the church. [11] Beloved, do not imitate
evil but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not
seen God. [12] Deme'trius has testimony from every one, and from the truth
itself; I testify to him too, and you know my testimony is true. [13] I had
much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; [14] I
hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face. [ (III John
1:15) Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one
of them. ]
