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.
Dear one, I pray for you to prosper in every way and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.
3 Gavisus sum valde venientibus fratribus, et testimonium perhibentibus veritati tuae, sicut tu in veritate ambulas.
Because it gave me great joy when some brothers came and testified to the truth about you, how you are walking in Truth.
4 Maiorem horum non habeo gratiam, quam ut audiam filios meos in veritate ambulare.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in Truth.
5 Charissime, fideliter facis quidquid operaris in fratres, et hoc in peregrinos,
Dear one, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, and for the strangers
6 qui testimonium reddiderunt charitati tuae in conspectu Ecclesiae: quos, benefaciens, deduces digne Deo.
who testified to your love before the church—you will do well by sending them on their way in a manner worthy of God,
7 Pro nomine enim eius profecti sunt, nihil accipientes a Gentibus.
because it was for the sake of the Name that they went out, accepting nothing from pagans.
8 Nos ergo debemus suscipere huiusmodi, ut cooperatores simus veritatis.
We therefore ought to welcome such, so that we may work together for the Truth.
9 Scripsissem forsitan Ecclesiae: sed is, qui amat primatum gerere in eis, Diotrephes, non recipit nos.
I wrote to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who wants to dominate the others, does not acknowledge us.
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.
So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, slandering us with malignant words. And not satisfied with that, not only does he himself not receive the brothers, but he forbids those who want to do so, kicking them out of the congregation.
11 Charissime, noli imitari malum, sed quod bonum est. Qui benefacit, ex Deo est: qui malefacit, non videt Deum.
Dear one, do not imitate what is bad, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who 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 is well spoken of by everyone—even by the truth itself. Yes, we also speak well of him, and we know that our testimony is true.
13 Multa habui tibi scribere: sed nolui per atramentum et calamum scribere tibi.
I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;
14 Spero autem protinus te videre, et os ad os loquemur. Pax tibi. Salutant te amici. Saluta tu amicos nominatim.
rather I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.
