3 John 1

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

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

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

I pray that you may prosper, beloved, in every way, and be in good health, even as your soul is prospering.

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

For I was glad when brothers came and bore testimony to your truth, as indeed you are passing your life in truth.

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

I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are passing their lives in the truth.

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

You are acting faithfully, beloved, in whatever you are doing for the brothers and the strangers.

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 borne testimony to your love before the church. You will do well to speed them on their way worthily of God;

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

since for the sake of the Name they have started out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

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

Hence we ought to support such, so that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

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

I have written somewhat to the church; but Diotrephes, who love to take the lead among them, does not receive me.

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.

Do them when I come I will recall to mind the deeds which he is doing, prating against me with wicked words. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive the brothers, forbids those that would receive them, and excommunicates them from 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.

Do not imitate what is evil, beloved, but that which is good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has never gazed on 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.

All men bear testimony to Demetrius, and so does the truth itself. I also bear testimony to him; and you know that my testimony is true.

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

I have a great deal to write to you, but I do not want to write you 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 am hoping soon to see you, and then we shall talk face to face. Peace be to you! The friends send their salutation. Salute the friends by name.