3 John 1

1 I, a ruler in the church, send word to the well loved Gaius, for whom I have true love.

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

2 My loved one, it is my prayer that you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does well.

Dear one, I pray for you to prosper in every way and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.

3 For it gave me great joy when some of the brothers came and gave witness that you had the true faith and were walking in the true way.

Because it gave me great joy when some brothers came and testified to the truth about you, how you are walking in Truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to have news that my children are walking in the true way.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in Truth.

5 My loved one, you are doing a good work in being kind to those brothers who come from other places;

Dear one, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, and for the strangers

6 Who have given witness to the church of your love for them: and you will do well to send them on their way well cared for, as is right for servants of God:

who testified to your love before the church—you will do well by sending them on their way in a manner worthy of God,

7 For they went out for love of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

because it was for the sake of the Name that they went out, accepting nothing from pagans.

8 So it is right for us to take in such men as guests, so that we may take our part in the work of the true faith.

We therefore ought to welcome such, so that we may work together for the Truth.

9 I sent a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, whose desire is ever to have the first place among them, will not have us there.

I wrote to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who wants to dominate the others, does not acknowledge us.

10 So if I come, I will keep in mind the things he does, talking against us with evil words: and as if this was not enough, he does not take the brothers into his house, and those who are ready to take them in, he keeps from doing so, putting them out of the church if they do.

So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, slandering us with malignant words. And not satisfied with that, not only does he himself not receive the brothers, but he forbids those who want to do so, kicking them out of the congregation.

11 My loved one, do not be copying what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: he who does evil has not seen God.

Dear one, do not imitate what is bad, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has the approval of all men and of what is true: and we give the same witness, and you are certain that our witness is true.

Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—even by the truth itself. Yes, we also speak well of him, and we know that our testimony is true.

13 I had much to say to you, but it is not my purpose to put it all down with ink and pen:

I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

14 But I am hoping to see you in a short time, and to have talk with you face to face. May you have peace. Your friends here send you their love. Give my love to our friends by name.

rather I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.