He commendeth Gaius, for continuing in the truth, and for sustaining or succouring true preachers, noting Diotrephes for the contrary, and praising Demetrius.He commendeth Gaius, for continuing in the truth, and for susteining or succouring true preachers, 9 noting Diótrepes for the contrarie, and praising Demetrius.✦
The Senior: the Ancient: the Elder, the Presbyter to Gaius the dearest, whom I love in truth.THE Seniour to Gaius the deerest, whom I loue in truth.✦Senior Gajo carissimo, quem ego diligo in veritate.
2My dearest, concerning all things I make my prayer that thou proceed prosperously, and fare well, as thy soul doth prosperously.My deerest, concerning al thinges I make my praier that thou proceede prosperously, and fare wel, as thy soule doth prosperously.✦Carissime, de omnibus orationem facio prospere te ingredi, et valere sicut prospere agit anima tua.
3I was exceeding glad, when the brethren came, and gave testimony to thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.I was exceeding glad, when the brethren came, and gaue testimonie to thy truth, euen as thou walkest in truth.✦Gavisus sum valde venientibus fratribus, et testimonium perhibentibus veritati tuæ, sicut tu in veritate ambulas.
4Greater thank have I not of them, than that I may hear my children do walk in truth.Greater 'thanke' haue I not of them, then that I may heare my children do walke in truth.✦Majorem horum non habeo gratiam, quam ut audiam filios meos in veritate ambulare.
5My dearest, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou workest on the brethren, and that upon strangers,My deerest, thou doest faithfully whatsoeuer thou workest on the brethren, and that vpon strangers,✦Carissime, fideliter facis quidquid operaris in fratres, et hoc in peregrinos,
6they have rendered testimony to thy charity in the sight of the Church: whom, thou shalt do well, bringing on their way in manner worthy of God.they haue rendred testimonie to thy charitie in the sight of the Church: whom, thou shalt doe wel, bringing on their way in maner worthie of God.✦qui testimonium reddiderunt caritati tuæ in conspectu ecclesiæ : quos, benefaciens, deduces digne Deo.
7For, for his name did they depart, taking nothing of the Gentiles.For, for his name did they depart, taking nothing of the Gentiles.✦Pro nomine enim ejus profecti sunt, nihil accipientes a gentibus.
8We therefore ought to receive such: that we may be cooperatores: fellow-workers, helpers of the truth.Vve therfore ought to receiue such: that we may be coadiutors of the truth.✦Nos ergo debemus suscipere hujusmodi, ut cooperatores simus veritatis.
9I had written perhaps to the Church: but he that loveth to bear primatum: pre-eminence, the first place among them, Diotrephes, doth not receive us.I had written perhaps to the Church: but he that loueth to beare b primacie among them, Diótrepes, doth not receiue vs.Scripsissem forsitan ecclesiæ : sed is qui amat primatum gerere in eis, Diotrephes, non recipit nos :
10For this cause, if I come, I will commonebo: bring to notice, call to account his works which he doeth: with malicious words garriens: prating, railing against us. And as though these things suffice him not: neither himself doth receive the brethren, and them that do receive, he prohibiteth, and casteth out of the Church.For this cause, if I come, c I wil aduertise his workes which he doeth: with malicious wordes chatting against vs. and as though these thinges suffise him not: neither him self doth receiue the brethren, and them that do receiue, he prohibiteth, and casteth out of the Church.✦propter hoc si venero, commonebo ejus opera, quæ facit, verbis malignis garriens in nos : et quasi non ei ista sufficiant, neque ipse suscipit fratres : et eos qui suscipiunt, prohibet, et de ecclesia ejicit.
11My dearest, do not imitate evil, but that which is good. He that doeth well, is of God: he that doeth ill, hath not seen God.My deerest, do not imitate euil, but that which is good. He that doeth wel, is of God: he that doeth il, hath not seen God.✦Carissime, noli imitari malum, sed quod bonum est. Qui benefacit, ex Deo est : qui malefacit, non vidit Deum.
12To Demetrius testimony is given of all, and of the truth itself: yea and we give testimony: and thou knowest that our testimony is true.To Demetrius testimonie is giuen of al, and of the truth it self: yea and we giue testimonie: and thou knowest that our testimonie is true.✦Demetrio testimonium redditur ab omnibus, et ab ipsa veritate, sed et nos testimonium perhibemus : et nosti quoniam testimonium nostrum verum est.
13I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee.I had many thinges to write vnto thee: but I would not by inke and penne write to thee.Multa habui tibi scribere : sed nolui per atramentum et calamum scribere tibi.
14But I hope forthwith to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.But I hope forthwith to see thee, and we wil speake mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. The freendes salute thee. Salute the freendes by name.✦Spero autem protinus te videre, et os ad os loquemur. Pax tibi. Salutant te amici. Saluta amicos nominatim.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Facsimile available in two scans.