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¶ THE elder to the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
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Our beloved, I pray above all things that you may prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.
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¶ For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified concerning the truth that is in you, even as you live a true life.
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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children follow the truth.
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Our beloved, you do faithfully that which you do to the brethren, especially to those who are strangers.
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Who have borne witness concerning your love before the whole church for the good things which you have done for them by supplying their needs, as is pleasing to God,
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Because they have gone forth for his name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
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We, therefore, ought to welcome such, so that we may be fellow helpers to the truth.
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¶ I wrote to the church that Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, would not receive us.
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Therefore, if I come, I will mention the things which he did, gossiping against us with malicious words;
and not content with this, he not only did not receive the brethren, but also forbade those who would like to receive them, and cast them out of the church.
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Our beloved, do not follow that which is evil, but that which is good.
He who does good is of God;
but he who does evil has not seen God.
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Demetrius has been given a good report by all men and of the church, and of the truth itself;
yea, we also testify for him, and we know that our testimony is true.
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I had many things to write, but I do not want to write them to you with ink and pen;
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However I trust I shall shortly see you, and we shall speak face to face.
(1:15) Peace be to you.
Our friends salute you.
Salute the friends every one by his name.