5 My dear friend, it is good that you continue to help the believers. They are people you don’t even know.
6 They told the church about the love you have. Please help them to continue their trip. Help them in a way that will please God.
7 They went on their trip to serve Christ. They did not accept any help from people who are not believers.
8 So we should help them. When we help them, we share with their work for the truth.
9 I wrote a letter to the church, but Diotrephes will not listen to what we say. He always wants to be the leader.
10 When I come, I will talk with him about what he is doing. He lies and says evil things about us, but that is not all. He refuses to welcome and help the believers who travel there. And he will not let others help them. If they do, he stops them from meeting with the church anymore.
11 My dear friend, don’t follow what is bad; follow what is good. Whoever does what is good is from God. But whoever does evil has never known God.