¹The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

¹Den Ældste til Kajus, den elskede, hvem jeg elsker i Sandhed.

²Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

²Du elskede! jeg ønsker, at det i alle Ting må gå dig vel, og du må være karsk, ligesom det går din Sjæl vel.

³For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

³Thi jeg blev meget glad, da der kom Brødre og vidnede om Sandheden i dig, hvorledes du vandrer i Sandheden.

⁴I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

⁴Jeg har ingen større Glæde end denne, at jeg hører, at mine Børn vandre i Sandheden.

⁵Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

⁵Du elskede! en trofast Gerning gør du i alt, hvad du virker for Brødrene, og det for femmede,

⁶They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,

⁶hvilke have vidnet for Menigheden om din Kærlighed; og du vil gøre vel i at fremme deres Rejse således, som det er Gud værdigt.

⁷because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

⁷Thi for Navnets Skyld ere de dragne ud, uden at tage noget at Hedningerne.

⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

⁸Derfor ere vi skyldige at tage os af sådanne, for at vi kunne blive Medarbejdere for Sandheden.

⁹I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

⁹Jeg har skrevet noget til Menigheden; men Diotrefes, som gerne vil være den ypperste iblandt dem, anerkender os ikke.

¹⁰Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

¹⁰Derfor vil jeg, når jeg kommer erindre om de Gerninger, han gør, idet han bagvasker os med onde Ord; og ikke tilfreds dermed, tager han både selv ikke Brødrene for gode, og dem, som ville det, forhindrer han deri og udstøder dem af Menigheden.

¹¹Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

¹¹Du elskede! efterfølg ikke det onde, men det gode. Den, som gør godt, er af Gud; den, som gør ondt, har ikke set Gud.

¹²Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

¹²Demetrius har et godt Vidnesbyrd af alle og af Sandheden selv; også vi vidne, og du ved, at vort Vidnesbyrd er sandt.

¹³I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

¹³Jeg havde meget at skrive til dig, men jeg vil ikke skrive til dig med Blæk og Pen.

¹⁴but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

¹⁴Men jeg håber snart at se dig, og da skulle vi mundtligt tale sammen. Fred være med dig! Vennerne hilse dig. Hils Vennerne, hver især!