3 John 1
1 From the elder to his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves.
The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I sincerely love in truth:
2 Dear friend, I pray that all may be well with you and that you may have good health – I know that all is well with your soul.
Beloved, I pray that in all ways you may prosper and be in good health, just as I know that your soul prospers.
3 For it was a great joy to me, when some followers of the Lord came and testified to your fidelity to the truth. I know that your own life is guided by the truth.
For I rejoiced greatly when some brothers came and testified about the truth that is in you, as indeed you do walk in the truth.
4 Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to hear from time to time that the lives of my children are guided by the truth.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in all the things you do for other followers – even when they are strangers to you.
Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brothers and sisters, and especially when they are strangers.
6 They themselves have testified before the church to your love. You will do well to help them on their way in a manner worthy of the service of God.
They have testified to your sincere love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God,
7 For it was on behalf of Christ’s name that they set out, not accepting even one thing from the Gentiles.
for they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the heathen.
8 Therefore, we should support people like them, and so take our share in their work for the truth.
Therefore we ought to support such people, that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes (who loves to be the leader among them) doesn’t welcome us.
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
10 So if I come, I will bring up his actions in telling wicked nonsense about us. Not content with that, he not only refuses to personally welcome our friends who are followers, but actually stops those who would, and expels them from the church.
For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not satisfied with this, he himself doesn’t receive the brothers and sisters, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
11 Dear friend, do not follow a bad example, but a good one. The person who does what is good is from God; the person who does what is bad has never seen God.
Beloved, don’t imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good belongs to God; the one who does evil hasn’t seen God.
12 Everyone has always had a good word for Demetrius, and the truth itself speaks for him. Yes, and we also add our good word, and you know that what we say is true.
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I have many things to tell you, but I would rather not use pen and ink.
I had many things to write to you, but I would rather not write them to you with pen and ink;
14 I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. The friends here send you their greetings. Greet each one of our friends.
but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
