3 John 1

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

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

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

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

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

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

4 Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

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

5 Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;

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

6 who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:

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

7 because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

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

8 We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.

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

9 I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

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

10 Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth, and casteth [them] out of the church.

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.

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

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;

12 Demetrius hath the witness of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness; and thou knowest that our witness is true.

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.

13 I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write [them] to thee with ink and pen:

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

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

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.