3 Johannes 1
1 Den Ældste til Kajus, den elskede, hvem jeg elsker i Sandhed.
From the elder to his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves.
2 Du elskede! jeg ønsker, at det i alle Ting må gå dig vel, og du må være karsk, ligesom det går din Sjæl vel.
Dear friend, I pray that all may be well with you and that you may have good health – I know that all is well with your soul.
3 Thi jeg blev meget glad, da der kom Brødre og vidnede om Sandheden i dig, hvorledes du vandrer i Sandheden.
For it was a great joy to me, when some followers of the Lord came and testified to your fidelity to the truth. I know that your own life is guided by the truth.
4 Jeg har ingen større Glæde end denne, at jeg hører, at mine Børn vandre i Sandheden.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to hear from time to time that the lives of my children are guided by the truth.
5 Du elskede! en trofast Gerning gør du i alt, hvad du virker for Brødrene, og det for femmede,
Dear friend, you are faithful in all the things you do for other followers – even when they are strangers to you.
6 hvilke have vidnet for Menigheden om din Kærlighed; og du vil gøre vel i at fremme deres Rejse således, som det er Gud værdigt.
They themselves have testified before the church to your love. You will do well to help them on their way in a manner worthy of the service of God.
7 Thi for Navnets Skyld ere de dragne ud, uden at tage noget at Hedningerne.
For it was on behalf of Christ’s name that they set out, not accepting even one thing from the Gentiles.
8 Derfor ere vi skyldige at tage os af sådanne, for at vi kunne blive Medarbejdere for Sandheden.
Therefore, we should support people like them, and so take our share in their work for the truth.
9 Jeg har skrevet noget til Menigheden; men Diotrefes, som gerne vil være den ypperste iblandt dem, anerkender os ikke.
I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes (who loves to be the leader among them) doesn’t welcome us.
10 Derfor vil jeg, når jeg kommer erindre om de Gerninger, han gør, idet han bagvasker os med onde Ord; og ikke tilfreds dermed, tager han både selv ikke Brødrene for gode, og dem, som ville det, forhindrer han deri og udstøder dem af Menigheden.
So if I come, I will bring up his actions in telling wicked nonsense about us. Not content with that, he not only refuses to personally welcome our friends who are followers, but actually stops those who would, and expels them from the church.
11 Du elskede! efterfølg ikke det onde, men det gode. Den, som gør godt, er af Gud; den, som gør ondt, har ikke set Gud.
Dear friend, do not follow a bad example, but a good one. The person who does what is good is from God; the person who does what is bad has never seen God.
12 Demetrius har et godt Vidnesbyrd af alle og af Sandheden selv; også vi vidne, og du ved, at vort Vidnesbyrd er sandt.
Everyone has always had a good word for Demetrius, and the truth itself speaks for him. Yes, and we also add our good word, and you know that what we say is true.
13 Jeg havde meget at skrive til dig, men jeg vil ikke skrive til dig med Blæk og Pen.
I have many things to tell you, but I would rather not use pen and ink.
14 Men jeg håber snart at se dig, og da skulle vi mundtligt tale sammen. Fred være med dig! Vennerne hilse dig. Hils Vennerne, hver især!
I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. The friends here send you their greetings. Greet each one of our friends.
