3 John 1

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I truly love with divine love.

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

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper concerning all things and be well, as your soul prospers.

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

3 I rejoice exceedingly, the brethren coming and witnessing to thy truth, as thou art walking about in truth.

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

4 I have no greater joy than this, that I may hear of my children walking about in truth.

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

5 Beloved, whatsoever faithful deed thou mayest do to the brethren, thou art also dispensing to the strangers,

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

6 who have witnessed to thy divine love before the church: whom you will do well, having sent forth worthily of God.

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

7 For the sake of his name they went out, receiving nothing from the Gentiles.

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

8 Therefore we ought to receive such, in order that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.

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

9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, loving the preeminence over them, does not receive us.

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

10 On account of this, if I may come, I will remember his works which he is doing, berating us with wicked speeches: and not content with these, he does not receive the brethren, and he prohibits them wishing to receive them, and casts 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 Beloved, imitate not the evil, but the good. The one doing good is of God: the one doing evil has not seen 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 To Demetrius it has been testified by all, and by the truth itself: and we also testify: and you know that our testimony 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 Having many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write them to you with ink and paper:

I have a great deal to write to you, but I do not want to write you with pen and ink.

14 but I hope to see you immediately, and mouth to mouth we will speak. Peace be unto you. The friends salute you; salute 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.