3 John 1

1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

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

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

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

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

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

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

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

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

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:

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

7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

For the sake of his name they went out, 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 such, in order that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.

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

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

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.

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, imitate not the evil, but the good. The one doing good is of God: the one doing 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.

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.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

Having many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write them to you with ink and paper:

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.

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.