¶ The senior unto the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Wellbeloved I wish in all things that thou prosperedest and faredest well, even as thy soul prospereth. I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the trueth that is in thee, how thou in troth walkest. I have no greater joy than for to hear how that my sons walk in verity.
¶ Dearly beloved thou dost faithfully what soever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers, which bare witness of thy love before all the congregation. Which brethren when thou bringest forwards on their journey (as it beseemeth God) thou shalt do well: because that for his name's sake they went forth, and took nothing of the gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we also might be helpers to the truth.
¶ I wrote unto the congregation: but Diotrephes which loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not, wherefore if I come I will declare his deeds which he doeth jesting on us with malicious words, neither is therewith content. Not only he himself receiveth not the brethren: but also he forbiddeth them that would, and thrusteth them out of the congregation.
¶ Dearly beloved counterfeit not that which is evil, but that which is good: He that doeth well is of God: but he that doeth evil seeth not God. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth. Yea and we ourselves also bear record, and ye know that our record is true. I have many things to write: But I will not with pen and ink write unto thee. For I trust I shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be with thee. The lovers salute thee. Greet the lovers by name.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526