3 John 1

1 This letter comes from the elder to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

From the elder to his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves.

2 My friend, I pray most of all that you're doing well and are in good physical health, for I know you're doing well spiritually.

Dear friend, I pray that all may be well with you and that you may have good health – I know that all is well with your soul.

3 I was delighted when some fellow-believers arrived and told me about your commitment to the truth, and how you continue living in the truth.

For it was a great joy to me, when some followers of the Lord came and testified to your fidelity to the truth. I know that your own life is guided by the truth.

4 Nothing makes me happier than to hear how my dear friends are following the truth.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to hear from time to time that the lives of my children are guided by the truth.

5 My friend, you show you are trustworthy in what you're doing by looking after the brothers, even those you don't know.

Dear friend, you are faithful in all the things you do for other followers – even when they are strangers to you.

6 They have spoken well about your love in front of the church. Please be so kind as to send them on their journey in a way that God would appreciate,

They themselves have testified before the church to your love. You will do well to help them on their way in a manner worthy of the service of God.

7 for they are traveling in his name, not accepting anything from non-believers.

For it was on behalf of Christ’s name that they set out, not accepting even one thing from the Gentiles.

8 We ought to support them so we can share together in the truth.

Therefore, we should support people like them, and so take our share in their work for the truth.

9 I did write about this to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, refuses to accept our authority.

I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes (who loves to be the leader among them) doesn’t welcome us.

10 So if I do visit, I will make it clear what he's been doing. He's been making malicious accusations against us. Not satisfied with doing that, he refuses to welcome any other brothers. He won't let anyone else welcome them either, and throws those who do so out of the church.

So if I come, I will bring up his actions in telling wicked nonsense about us. Not content with that, he not only refuses to personally welcome our friends who are followers, but actually stops those who would, and expels them from the church.

11 My friend, don't imitate what is evil, but what is good. Those who do what's good belong to God; those who do evil don't know God.

Dear friend, do not follow a bad example, but a good one. The person who does what is good is from God; the person who does what is bad has never seen God.

12 Everyone speaks well of Demetrius—and the truth does so too! We also speak well of him, and you know we tell the truth.

Everyone has always had a good word for Demetrius, and the truth itself speaks for him. Yes, and we also add our good word, and you know that what we say is true.

13 I have so much to say to you, but I don't want to do it in writing with pen and ink.

I have many things to tell you, but I would rather not use pen and ink.

14 I hope to see you soon so we can talk face to face. May peace be with you! The friends here send their greetings to you. Please personally greet our friends there by name.

I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. The friends here send you their greetings. Greet each one of our friends.