3 John 1
1 Greeting From the church leader.tTo my dear friend Gaius, whom I love because we share the truth.Encouragement for Gaius
Greeting
Encouragement for Gaius
2 Dear friend, I know that you are spiritually well. I pray that you’re doing well in every other way and that you’re healthy.3 I was very happy when some believers came and told us that you are living according to the truth.
4 Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
5 Dear friend, you are showing your faith in whatever you do for other believers, especially when they’re your guests.6 These believers have told the congregation about your love. You will do well to support them on their trip in a way that proves you belong to God.7 After all, they went on their trip to serve the one named Christ, and they didn’t accept any help from the people to whom they went.
8 We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.
Criticism of Diotrephes
Criticism of Diotrephes
9 I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won’t accept us.
10 For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he’s doing. He’s not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers we send as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation.
Praise for Demetrius
Praise for Demetrius
11 Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.12 Everyone, including the truth itself, says good things about Demetrius. We also say good things about him, and you know that what we say is true.Farewell
Farewell
13 I have a lot to write to you. However, I would rather not write.
14 I hope to visit you very soon. Then we can talk things over personally.
15 Peace be with you! Your friends here send you their greetings. Greet each of our 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.