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 pray for thee to prosper concerning all things, and to be healthy, just as thy soul prospers.

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

3 For I rejoiced exceedingly of brothers coming and testifying to the truth of thee, just as thou walk in truth.

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

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

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

5 Beloved, thou do a faithful thing, whatever thou work for the brothers and for strangers,

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

6 who testified about thy love in sight of the congregation, whom thou will do well having helped send on their way worthily of God.

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

7 For they went forth on behalf of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to welcome such men, so that we might become fellow workmen for the truth.

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

9 I wrote to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first of them, did not accept us.

I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first amongst them, doesn’t accept what we say.

10 Because of this, if I come, I will remember his works that he does, prating against us with evil words. And not being satisfied in these, he himself does not even accept the brothers, and he forbids those who would, and expels them out of the congregation.

Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

11 Beloved, do not imitate the evil, but the good. The man doing right is of God. The man doing wrong has not seen God.

Beloved, don’t 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 Demetrius has been testified by all, and by the truth itself. But we also testify, 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 did not want to write to thee by pen and ink.

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

14 But I hope to see thee straightaway, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.