< 3 John 1 >
1 The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
我長老致書給可愛的加約,就是我在真理內所愛的。
2 Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
親愛的,祝你諸事順利,並祝你健康,就如你的靈魂常順利一樣。
3 For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
有些弟兄來,證明你在真理內,就是說你怎樣在真理內生活,我很是高興。
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
我聽說我的孩子們在真理內生活,我沒有比這再大的喜樂了。
5 Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
親愛的,凡你對弟兄,尤其對旅客所行的,都是真信徒的行為。
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.
他們在教會前證明了你的愛德。你若以相稱天主的態度,幫助他們走上旅途,就是做了善事,
7 For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
因為他們出發是為主的名字,並沒有從外教人接受什麼;
8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
所以我們應當款待這樣的人,為叫我們成為與真理合作的人。
9 I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
我給教會寫過信,但是那在他們中間愛作首領的狄約勒斐,卻不承認我們。
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.
為此,我若來到,必要指摘他所行的事,就是他用惡言惡語誹謗我們的事;但這為他還不夠:他自己不款待弟兄們,連那願意款待的,他也加以阻止,甚而將他們逐出教會。
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.
親愛的,你不要效法惡,但要效法善:那行善的是出於天主,那作惡的是沒有見過天主。
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.
眾人和真理本身都給德默特琉作證,我們自己也給他作證,而你也知道我們所作的證是真實的。
13 I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.
我本來有許多事要寫給你,但是我不願意以筆墨給你寫;
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.
只希望快見到你,我們好親口面談。 祝你平安!朋友都問候你。請你也一一問候各位朋友。