The old man to his friend Gaius, whom I truly love.
I pray above all, friend, that you may be prosperous and well, just as your soul prospers; for I was exceedingly delighted when brethren came and testified of your truth, and how you walk in the truh. I have no greater delight than to learn that my children conduct themselves always in the truth.
You practise faith, friend, when you bestow benefits on the brotherhood who are even strangers; they testify of your friendship before the assembly, how well you have done in having helped them forward for the sake of God. Because for the sake of that Name they went out, taking nothing from the heathen. Such we ought therefore to support, so that we may be workers together for the truth.
I wrote something to the assembly; Diotrephes, however, who likes to make himself prominent among them, rejects us. If I come, therefore, I will make him remember his conduct, sneering at us with vile expressions; and indeed, not content with these, he did not receive the brethren, and hindered those who would, and expelled them from the assembly.
Do not, friend, imitate the bad, but the good. The well-doer is from God; the wrong-doer has not seen God. Demetrius is well reported of by all, as well as by the truth itself; yes, and we also give evidence, and you know that our evidence is reliable.
I have much to write to you; but I am unwilling to communicate to you with pen and ink. Very soon, however, I hope to see you, when we can speak by word of mouth. Peace to you. The friends send you regards. Remember the friends by name.
(These two short Letters were written from Ephesus, probably between the years 88 and 90 A.D.)
