3 John 1
1 The elder, unto Gaius the beloved, whom, I, love in truth.
To his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves, From the Officer of the Church.
2 Beloved! concerning all things, I pray thou mayest be prospering, and be in health, even as, thy soul, is prospering,
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.
3 For I rejoiced exceedingly, at brethren coming and bearing witness unto thy truth, —even as, thou, in truth, art walking.
For it was a great joy to me, when some Brothers came and testified to your fidelity to the Truth — I know that your own life is guided by the Truth.
4 I have no, greater, favour than these things, that I should be hearing that, my own children, in the truth, are walking.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to hear from time to time that the lives of my Children are guided by the Truth.
5 Beloved! a faithful thing, art thou doing, whatsoever thou shalt accomplish for them that are brethren, and withal strangers, —
Dear friend, whatever you do for our Brothers is done in a Christian spirit — even when they are strangers to you.
6 Who have borne witness to thy love before the assembly: whom thou wilt do, nobly, to set forward worthily of God.
They themselves have testified before the Church to your love; and you will do well to help them on their way in a manner worthy of the service of God.
7 For, in behalf of The Name, have they gone forth, taking, nothing, from them of the nations.
For it was on behalf of the Name that they left their homes, and refused to take anything from the Gentiles.
8 We, therefore ought to be sustaining such as these, that we may become, fellowworkers, with the truth.
We, therefore, ought to give such people a hearty welcome, and so take our share in their work for the Truth.
9 I wrote something unto the assembly; but, he who is fond of taking the first place among them—Diotrephes, doth not make us welcome.
I wrote a few lines to the Church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, declines to recognise us.
10 For this cause, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he is doing, —with wicked words, prating against us; and, not content with these, he neither, himself, maketh the brethren welcome, but, them who are minded [to do it], he forbiddeth, and, out of the assembly, doth cast [them].
Therefore, when I come, I shall not forget his conduct in ridiculing us with his wicked tongue. Not content with that, he not only declines to recognise our Brothers himself, but actually prevents those who would, and expels them from the Church.
11 Beloved! be not thou imitating what is bad, but what is good. He that doeth good, is, of God: he that doeth what is bad, hath not seen God.
Dear friend, take what is good for your example, not what is bad. The man who does what is good is from God; the man who does what is bad has never seen God.
12 Unto Demetrius, hath witness been borne by all and by the truth itself; howbeit, we also, bear witness, and thou knowest that, our witness, is, true.
Every one 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 about him is true.
13 Many things, had I to write unto thee, —but I am unwilling, with ink and pen, to be writing;
I have a great deal to say to you, but I do not care to trust it to pen and ink in a letter.
14 I hope, however, straightway, to see thee, and, mouth to mouth, will we talk. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
I hope, however, it will not be long before I see you, and then we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. Our friends here send you their greetings. Greet each one of our friends.
