3 John 1

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

The ancient to the dearly 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.

Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously, and fare well as thy soul doth prosperously.

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

I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

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

I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.

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

Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren, and that for 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 given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the church: whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God.

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

Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

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 helpers of the truth.

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

I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us.

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 cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth, with malicious words prating against us. And as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the church.

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.

Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good, is of God: he that doth evil, hath 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.

To Demetrius testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself, yea and we also give testimony: and thou knowest that our testimony 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 unto thee: but I would not by 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 speedily to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.