3 John 1

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

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

2 Most beloved, concerning everything, I make it my prayer that you may benefit by advancing and succeeding in whatever may be to the benefit of your soul.

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

3 I was very glad when the brothers arrived, and when they offered testimony to the truth in you, that you are walking in the truth.

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 grace than this, when I hear that my sons are walking in the truth.

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

5 Most beloved, you should act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and those who are sojourners;

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

6 they have given testimony to your charity in the sight of the Church. You would do well to lead these ones worthily to 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 set out, on behalf of his name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers.

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

8 Therefore, we must accept such as these, in order that we may cooperate with the truth.

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

9 As it happens, I had written to the church. But Diotrephes, who loves to bear the highest rank among them, would not accept us.

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

10 Because of this, when I come, I will admonish his works which he does, babbling against us with malicious words. And as if this were not sufficient for him, he himself does not receive the brothers. And those who do receive them, he hinders, and he ejects them from the church.

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 Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever 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 Testimony is being given for Demetrius by everyone, and by the truth itself. And we also offer testimony. And you know that our testimony 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 many things to write to you, but I am not willing, through ink and pen, to write to you.

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

14 Yet I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the 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.