3 John 1

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

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

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

Dear one, I pray for you to prosper in every way and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.

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

Because it gave me great joy when some brothers came and testified to the truth about you, how you are walking in Truth.

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

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in Truth.

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

Dear one, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, and for the strangers

6 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,

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

because it was for the sake of the Name that they went out, accepting nothing from pagans.

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

We therefore ought to welcome such, so that we may work together for the Truth.

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

I wrote to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who wants to dominate the others, does not acknowledge us.

10 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.

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 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.

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 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

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

I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

14 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.

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.