3 John 1

1 The Elder vnto the beloued Gaius, whom I loue in the trueth.

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

2 Beloued, I wish chiefly that thou prosperedst and faredst well as thy soule prospereth.

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.

3 For I reioyced greatly when the brethren came, and testified of the trueth that is in thee, how thou walkest in the trueth.

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.

4 I haue no greater ioy then these, that is, to heare that my sonnes walke in veritie.

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

5 Beloued, thou doest faithfully, whatsoeuer thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers,

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

6 Which bare witnesse of thy loue before the Churches. Whom if thou bringest on their iourney as it beseemeth according to God, thou shalt doe well,

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,

7 Because that for his Names sake they went forth, and tooke nothing of the Gentiles.

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

8 We therefore ought to receiue such, that we might be helpers to the trueth.

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

9 I wrote vnto the Church: but Diotrephes which loueth to haue the preeminence among them, receiueth vs not.

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

10 Wherefore if I come, I will call to your remembrance his deedes which he doeth, pratling against vs with malicious wordes, and not therewith content, neither he himselfe receiueth the brethren, but forbiddeth them that woulde, and thrusteth them out of the Church.

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.

11 Beloued, follow not that which is euill, but that which is good: he that doeth well, is of God: but he that doeth euill, hath not seene God.

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.

12 Demetrius hath good report of al men, and of the trueth it selfe: yea, and wee our selues beare recorde, and ye know that our record is true.

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

13 I haue many things to write: but I will not with yncke and pen write vnto thee:

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

14 For I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speake mouth to mouth. Peace be with thee. The friends salute thee. Greete the friends by name.

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.