| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. | 1The Elder: To my dear friend Gaius: I love you in the truth. |
| 2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. | 2Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually. |
| 3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. | 3For I was very glad when some brothers came and testified to your faithfulness to the truth--how you are walking in the truth. |
| 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. | 4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth. |
| 5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; | 5Dear friend, you are showing faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers. |
| 6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: | 6They have testified to your love in front of the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, |
| 7Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. | 7since they set out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from pagans. |
| 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. | 8Therefore, we ought to support such men so that we can be coworkers with the truth. |
| 9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. | 9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive us. |
| 10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. | 10This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church. |
| 11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. | 11Dear friend, 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. |
| 12Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. | 12Demetrius has a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. And we also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true. |
| 13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: | 13I have many things to write you, but I don't want to write to you with pen and ink. |
| 14But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. | 14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be with you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name. |
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