Iohannis Iii 1

1 Senior Gaio charissimo, quem ego diligo in veritate.

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

2 Charissime, de omnibus orationem facio prospere te ingredi, et valere, sicut prospere agit anima tua.

Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.

3 Gavisus sum valde venientibus fratribus, et testimonium perhibentibus veritati tuae, sicut tu in veritate ambulas.

For I rejoiced exceedingly when [the] brethren came and bore testimony to thy [holding fast the] truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

4 Maiorem horum non habeo gratiam, quam ut audiam filios meos in veritate ambulare.

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

5 Charissime, fideliter facis quidquid operaris in fratres, et hoc in peregrinos,

Beloved, thou doest faithfully [in] whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the brethren and that strangers,

6 qui testimonium reddiderunt charitati tuae in conspectu Ecclesiae: quos, benefaciens, deduces digne Deo.

(who have witnessed of thy love before [the] assembly, ) in setting forward whom on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well;

7 Pro nomine enim eius profecti sunt, nihil accipientes a Gentibus.

for for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations.

8 Nos ergo debemus suscipere huiusmodi, ut cooperatores simus veritatis.

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

9 Scripsissem forsitan Ecclesiae: sed is, qui amat primatum gerere in eis, Diotrephes, non recipit nos.

I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place among them, receives us not.

10 propter hoc si venero, commonebo eius opera, quae facit: verbis malignis garriens in nos: et quasi non ei ista sufficiant: neque ipse suscipit fratres: et eos, qui suscipiunt, prohibet, et de Ecclesia eiicit.

For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts [them] out of the assembly.

11 Charissime, noli imitari malum, sed quod bonum est. Qui benefacit, ex Deo est: qui malefacit, non videt Deum.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrio testimonium redditur ab omnibus, et ab ipsa veritate, sed et nos testimonium perhibemus: et nosti quoniam testimonium nostrum verum est.

Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true.

13 Multa habui tibi scribere: sed nolui per atramentum et calamum scribere tibi.

I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee;

14 Spero autem protinus te videre, et os ad os loquemur. Pax tibi. Salutant te amici. Saluta tu amicos nominatim.

but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace [be] to thee. The friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name.