3 John 1

1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I sincerely love in truth:

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

2 Beloved, I pray that in all ways you may prosper and be in good health, just as I know that your soul prospers.

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

3 For I rejoiced greatly when some brothers came and testified about the truth that is in you, as indeed you do walk in the 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 to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

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

5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brothers and sisters, and especially when they are strangers.

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

6 They have testified to your sincere love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy 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 out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the heathen.

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

8 Therefore we ought to support such people, that we may be fellow workers with 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 loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

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

10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not satisfied with this, he himself doesn’t receive the brothers and sisters, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts 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, he doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

11 Beloved, don’t imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good belongs to God; the one who does evil hasn’t 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 received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We add our testimony, and you 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 to you, but I would rather not write them to you 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 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.

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.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.