3 John 1
1 From the Elder. 2 My dear friend, I know your soul is doing fine, and I pray that you are doing well in every way and that your health is good.3 I was very happy when some brothers and sisters came and told me about the truth in your life and how you are following the way of truth.
4 Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are following the way of truth.
5 My dear friend, it is good that you help the brothers and sisters, even those you do not know.6 They told the church about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way worthy of God.7 They started out in service to Christ, and they have been accepting nothing from nonbelievers.
8 So we should help such people; when we do, we share in their work for the truth.
9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be their leader, will not listen to us.
10 So if I come, I will talk about what Diotrephes is doing, about how he lies and says evil things about us. But more than that, he refuses to accept the other brothers and sisters; he even stops those who do want to accept them and puts them out of the church.
11 My dear friend, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. The one who does good belongs to God. But the one who does evil has never known God.
12 Everyone says good things about Demetrius, and the truth agrees with what they say. We also speak well of him, and you know what we say is true.
13 I have many things I want to write you, but I do not want to use pen and ink.14 I hope to see you soon and talk face to face.15 Peace to you. The friends here greet you. Please greet each friend there 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.