3 John 1

Greeting

1 The Elder:
To my dear friend Gaius: I love you in the truth.
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually. 3 For I was very glad when some brothers came and testified to your [faithfulness] to the truth-how you are walking in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Gaius Commended

5 Dear friend, you are showing faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers, especially [when they are] strangers. 6 They have testified to your love in front of the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, 7 since they set out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from pagans.

8 Therefore, we ought to support such men so that we can be coworkers with the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive us.

10 This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has a [good] testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. And we also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.

Farewell

13 I have many things to write you, but I don't want to write to you with pen and ink.

14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Peace be with you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.

3 John 1

1 The elder unto Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.2 Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.4 Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.5 Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;6 who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:7 because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.8 We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.9 I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.10 Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.11 Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.12 Demetrius hath the witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness: and thou knowest that our witness is true.13 I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write them to thee with ink and pen:14 but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.