3 John 1
1 To his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves, From the Officer of the Church.
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I truly love with divine love.
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 you may prosper concerning all things and be well, as your soul prospers.
3 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.
I rejoice exceedingly, the brethren coming and witnessing to thy truth, as thou art walking about in 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 this, that I may hear of my children walking about in truth.
5 Dear friend, whatever you do for our Brothers is done in a Christian spirit — even when they are strangers to you.
Beloved, whatsoever faithful deed thou mayest do to the brethren, thou art also dispensing to the strangers,
6 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.
who have witnessed to thy divine love before the church: whom you will do well, having sent forth worthily of God.
7 For it was on behalf of the Name that they left their homes, and refused to take anything from the Gentiles.
For the sake of his name they went out, receiving nothing from the Gentiles.
8 We, therefore, ought to give such people a hearty welcome, and so take our share in their work for the Truth.
Therefore we ought to receive such, in order that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.
9 I wrote a few lines to the Church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, declines to recognise us.
I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, loving the preeminence over them, does not receive us.
10 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.
On account of this, if I may come, I will remember his works which he is doing, berating us with wicked speeches: and not content with these, he does not receive the brethren, and he prohibits them wishing to receive them, and casts them out of the church.
11 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.
Beloved, imitate not the evil, but the good. The one doing good is of God: the one doing evil has not seen God.
12 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.
To Demetrius it has been testified by all, and by the truth itself: and we also testify: and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I have a great deal to say to you, but I do not care to trust it to pen and ink in a letter.
Having many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write them to you with ink and paper:
14 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.
but I hope to see you immediately, and mouth to mouth we will speak. Peace be unto you. The friends salute you; salute the friends by name.
