3 John 1

1 The ancient to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

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

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

Beloved, I pray that in all respects yoʋ may prosper and be in good health, even as yoʋr soul prospers.

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

For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about yoʋr faithfulness to the truth and how yoʋ walk in the truth.

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

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

5 Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren, and that for strangers,

Beloved, yoʋ are acting faithfully in whatever yoʋ do for the brothers and for those who are strangers to you.

6 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.

They have testified of yoʋr love before the church, and yoʋ will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

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

For they went out for the sake of the Name, receiving nothing from the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.

Therefore we ought to receive men like them, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

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

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, does not acknowledge us.

10 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.

So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing and the evil accusations of nonsense that he is making against us. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to receive the brothers, but also stops those who want to do so and throws them out of the church.

11 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.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Whoever does good is of God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

12 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.

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

13 I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee.

I have much to write, but I do not want to write to yoʋ with pen and ink.

14 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.

I hope to see yoʋ soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be with yoʋ. The friends greet yoʋ. Greet the friends by name.