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,

I pray that you may prosper, beloved, in every way, and be in good health, even as your soul is prospering.

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

For I was glad when brothers came and bore testimony to your truth, as indeed you are passing your life 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 this, to hear that my children are passing their lives in the truth.

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

You are acting faithfully, beloved, in whatever you are doing for the brothers and the strangers.

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

They have borne testimony to your love before the church. You will do well to speed them on their way worthily of God;

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

since for the sake of the Name they have started out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

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

Hence we ought to support such, so that we may become 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 somewhat to the church; but Diotrephes, who love to take the lead among them, does not receive me.

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.

Do them when I come I will recall to mind the deeds which he is doing, prating against me with wicked words. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive the brothers, forbids those that would receive them, and excommunicates them from 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;

Do not imitate what is evil, beloved, but that which is good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has never gazed on 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.

All men bear testimony to Demetrius, and so does the truth itself. I also bear testimony to him; and you know that my 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 a great deal to write to you, but I do not want to write 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.

I am hoping soon to see you, and then we shall talk face to face. Peace be to you! The friends send their salutation. Salute the friends by name.