3 John 1

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

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

2 Beloved! concerning all things, I pray thou mayest be prospering, and be in health, even as, thy soul, is prospering,

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, at brethren coming and bearing witness unto thy truth, —even as, thou, in truth, art walking.

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, greater, favour than these things, that I should be hearing that, my own children, in the truth, are walking.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are passing their lives in the truth.

5 Beloved! a faithful thing, art thou doing, whatsoever thou shalt accomplish for them that are brethren, and withal strangers, —

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

6 Who have borne witness to thy love before the assembly: whom thou wilt do, nobly, to set 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 For, in behalf of The Name, have they gone forth, taking, nothing, from them of the nations.

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

8 We, therefore ought to be sustaining such as these, that we may become, fellowworkers, with the truth.

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

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].

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! 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.

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 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.

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, had I to write unto thee, —but I am unwilling, with ink and pen, to be writing;

I have a great deal to write to you, but I do not want to write you with pen and ink.

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 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.