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 the truth:

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

Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.

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

For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.

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 the truth.

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

Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.

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

They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

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

For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

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

Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers 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 have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

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 call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.

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;

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one 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 has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you 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 have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so 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.

Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.