3 John 1

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

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

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

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

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk 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 joy than 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 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do to the brothers, and to strangers;

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

6 Which have borne witness of your charity before the church: whom if you bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, you shall do well:

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 that for his name’s sake they went forth, 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 might be fellow helpers to the truth.

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

9 I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not.

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

10 Why, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and forbids them that would, and casts them 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 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: but he that does evil has 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 Demetrius has good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yes, and we also bear record; and you know that our record 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, but I will not with ink and pen write to you:

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

14 But I trust I shall shortly see you, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to you. Our friends salute you. Greet 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.