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
Introduction and Thanksgiving
1 Fromt the elder,ts to Gaiuss my dear brother, whom I love in truth.t2 Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.ts
3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth.s
4 I have no greater joy than this: to heart that my children are living according to the truth.t
The Charge to Gaius
5 Dear friend,t you demonstrate faithfulnessts by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers).6 Theyt have testified to your love before the church.s You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.s7 For they have gone forths on behalf of “The Name,”s accepting nothing from the pagans.ts
8 Therefore wes ought to support such people, so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth.t
Diotrephes the Troublemaker
9 I wrote something to the church,s but Diotrephes,s who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us.t10 Therefore, if I come,t I will call attention to the deeds he is doings – the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good.s The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.s
Worthy Demetrius
12 Demetriuss has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him,t and you know that our testimony is true.
Conclusion
13 I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you witht pen and ink.ts14 But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face.t
15 Peace be with you.t The friends heret greet you. Greet the friendss theret by name.