3 John 1

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

The Elder to his dear friend Gaius. Truly I love you.

2 Beloved, in all things I pray that thou mayst prosper and be in health, as thy soul prospereth.

My dear friend, I pray that you may in all respects prosper and enjoy good health, just as your soul already prospers.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bore witness to thy truth, as thou walkest in truth.

For it is an intense joy to me when brethren come and bear witness to your fidelity to the truth--that you live in obedience to the truth.

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

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are living in obedience to the truth.

5 Beloved, thou doest a faithful thing whatever thou doest to the brethren, and that to strangers,

My dear friend, you are acting faithfully in all your behaviour towards the brethren, even when they are strangers to you.

6 who bore witness of thy love before the church; whom if thou send forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, thou wilt do well.

They have testified, in the presence of the Church, to your love; and you will do well to help them on their journey in a manner worthy of your fellowship with God.

7 For in behalf of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the gentiles.

For it is for Christ that they have gone forth, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to sustain such persons, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.

It is therefore our duty to show hospitality to such men, so that we may be fellow workers in promoting the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.

I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, refuses to listen to us.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words; and not content therewith, he himself doth not receive the brethren, and those that would he forbiddeth, and casteth them out of the church.

For this reason, if I come, I shall not forget his conduct, nor his idle and mischievous talk against us. And he does not stop there: he not only will not receive the brethren, but those who desire to do this he hinders, and excludes them from the Church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God; he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

My dear friend, do not follow wrong examples, but right ones. He who habitually does what is right is a child of God: he who habitually does what is wrong has not seen God.

12 To Demetrius testimony hath been borne by all, and by the truth itself; yea, we also bear witness, and ye know that our witness is true.

The character of Demetrius has the approval of all men, and of the truth itself. We also express our approval of it, and you know that we only give our approval to that which is true.

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

I have a great deal to say to you, but I do not wish to go on writing it with ink and pen.

14 but I hope to see thee immediately, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

But I hope to see you very soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. Our friends send greetings to you. Greet our friends individually.