3 John 1

1 The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:

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

2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.

Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.

3 For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.

For I rejoiced exceedingly when [the] brethren came and bore testimony to thy [holding fast the] truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

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

5 Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.

Beloved, thou doest faithfully [in] whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers,

6 They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

(who have witnessed of thy love before [the] assembly, ) in setting forward whom on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well;

7 For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

for for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations.

8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.

9 I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, receives us not.

10 So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts [them] out of the assembly.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.

Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true.

13 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.

I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee;

14 Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.

but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace [be] to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name.