3 John 1

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

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

2 Beloved, I earnestly pray, that thou mayst prosper and be in health, as thy soul prospereth.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.

3 For I greatly rejoiced, when the brethren came, and bore testimony to thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

4 And I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

5 Beloved, thou actest faithfully in whatsoever service thou dost to the brethren, and to strangers too;

Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

6 who have borne witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well in forwarding, as is worthy of God.

They have testified about your love before the church. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God,

7 For they went forth for his name's sake, taking nothing of the gentiles.

because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the non-believers.

8 We ought therefore to receive such, that we may become fellow-laborers in the truth.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who affects the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us.

I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.

10 Therefore when I come, I will remember his deeds, prating against us with wicked words: and not content with these, he neither receiveth the brethren himself, nor suffers those that would; and casteth them out of the church.

Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not thou follow that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good is of God: but he, that doth evil, hath not seen God.

Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn't seen God.

12 A good testimony is borne to Demetrius by all men, and by the truth itself: yea, and we also bear him like witness, and ye know that our testimony is true.

Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write: but I would not write to thee with pen and ink;

I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

14 for I hope to see thee soon, and we shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

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.