3 John 1

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

This letter comes from the elder to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

2 Beloved, I pray for thee to prosper concerning all things, and to be healthy, just as thy soul prospers.

My friend, I pray most of all that you're doing well and are in good physical health, for I know you're doing well spiritually.

3 For I rejoiced exceedingly of brothers coming and testifying to the truth of thee, just as thou walk in truth.

I was delighted when some fellow-believers arrived and told me about your commitment to the truth, and how you continue living in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than these things that I hear my children walking in truth.

Nothing makes me happier than to hear how my dear friends are following the truth.

5 Beloved, thou do a faithful thing, whatever thou work for the brothers and for strangers,

My friend, you show you are trustworthy in what you're doing by looking after the brothers, even those you don't know.

6 who testified about thy love in sight of the congregation, whom thou will do well having helped send on their way worthily of God.

They have spoken well about your love in front of the church. Please be so kind as to send them on their journey in a way that God would appreciate,

7 For they went forth on behalf of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

for they are traveling in his name, not accepting anything from non-believers.

8 We therefore ought to welcome such men, so that we might become fellow workmen for the truth.

We ought to support them so we can share together in the truth.

9 I wrote to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first of them, did not accept us.

I did write about this to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, refuses to accept our authority.

10 Because of this, if I come, I will remember his works that he does, prating against us with evil words. And not being satisfied in these, he himself does not even accept the brothers, and he forbids those who would, and expels them out of the congregation.

So if I do visit, I will make it clear what he's been doing. He's been making malicious accusations against us. Not satisfied with doing that, he refuses to welcome any other brothers. He won't let anyone else welcome them either, and throws those who do so out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate the evil, but the good. The man doing right is of God. The man doing wrong has not seen God.

My friend, don't imitate what is evil, but what is good. Those who do what's good belong to God; those who do evil don't know God.

12 Demetrius has been testified by all, and by the truth itself. But we also testify, and ye know that our testimony is true.

Everyone speaks well of Demetrius—and the truth does so too! We also speak well of him, and you know we tell the truth.

13 I had many things to write, but I did not want to write to thee by pen and ink.

I have so much to say to you, but I don't want to do it in writing with pen and ink.

14 But I hope to see thee straightaway, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

I hope to see you soon so we can talk face to face. May peace be with you! The friends here send their greetings to you. Please personally greet our friends there by name.