3 John 1

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

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

2 Beloved, I desire you to prosper concerning all things, and to be in health, even as your soul prospers,

Dear one, I pray for you to prosper in every way and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.

3 for I rejoiced exceedingly, brothers coming and testifying of the truth in you, even as you walk in truth;

Because it gave me great joy when some brothers came and testified to the truth about you, how you are walking in Truth.

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

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in Truth.

5 Beloved, you act faithfully in whatever you may do toward the brothers and the one [among] strangers,

Dear one, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, and for the strangers

6 who testified of your love before an assembly, whom you will do well, having sent forward worthily of God,

who testified to your love before the church—you will do well by sending them on their way in a manner worthy of God,

7 because they went forth for [His] Name, receiving nothing from the nations;

because it was for the sake of the Name that they went out, accepting nothing from pagans.

8 we, then, ought to receive such, that we may become fellow-workers to the truth.

We therefore ought to welcome such, so that we may work together for the Truth.

9 I wrote to the assembly, but he who is loving to be first among them—Diotrephes—does not receive us;

I wrote to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who wants to dominate the others, does not acknowledge us.

10 because of this, if I may come, I will cause him to remember his works that he does, talking nonsense against us with evil words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and he forbids those intending [to receive them], and he casts [them] out of the assembly.

So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, slandering us with malignant words. And not satisfied with that, not only does he himself not receive the brothers, but he forbids those who want to do so, kicking them out of the congregation.

11 Beloved, do not be following that which is evil, but that which is good; he who is doing good, he is of God, [but] he who is doing evil has not seen God;

Dear one, do not imitate what is bad, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

12 testimony has been given to Demetrius by all, and by the truth itself, and we also—we testify, and you have known that our testimony is true.

Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—even by the truth itself. Yes, we also speak well of him, and we know that our testimony is true.

13 Many things I had to write, but I do not wish to write to you through ink and pen,

I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

14 and I hope to see you soon, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace to you! The friends greet you. Be greeting the friends by name.

rather I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.