3 John 1

1 The elder unto the wellbeloved 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 thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

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 brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest 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, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, 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 thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt 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 fellowhelpers to the truth.

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

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

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

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [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 doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath 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 hath good report of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, and we [also] bear record; and ye 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 unto thee:

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 thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. 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.