3 John 1

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

THE presbyter to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper,

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

3 for I rejoiced exceedingly, brethren coming and testifying of the truth in thee, even as thou in truth dost walk;

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

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

I have no greater joy than these tidings, that I hear my own children are walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, faithfully dost thou do whatever thou mayest work to the brethren and to the strangers,

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever services thou performest for the brethren, and for strangers;

6 who did testify of thy love before an assembly, whom thou wilt do well, having sent forward worthily of God,

who have borne testimony to thy love before the church; to whom thou wilt perform a good act of service in forwarding them on their journey, in a manner worthy of God.

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

For on account of his name they went forth, receiving nothing from the heathen.

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

We therefore ought to assist such men, that we may become fellow-labourers in the truth.

9 I did write to the assembly, but he who is loving the first place among them — Diotrephes — doth not receive us;

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who affects pre-eminence over them, receiveth us not.

10 because of this, if I may come, I will cause him to remember his works that he doth, with evil words prating against us; and not content with these, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and those intending he doth forbid, and out of the assembly he doth cast.

Therefore if I come I will remember his works which he doth, with wicked words prating against us; and not content with these things, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and those who are willing he hindereth, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, be not thou following that which is evil, but that which is good; he who is doing good, of God he is, and he who is doing evil hath not seen God;

Beloved, be not an imitator of what is evil, but of that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12 to Demetrius testimony hath been given by all, and by the truth itself, and we also — we do testify, and ye have known that our testimony is true.

Demetrius hath a good testimony from all men, and from the truth itself: and we also bear our testimony, and ye know that our testimony is true.

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

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

14 and I hope straightway to see thee, and mouth to mouth we shall speak. Peace to thee! salute thee do the friends; be saluting the friends by name.

but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.