3 John 1

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

From the elder to his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves.

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

Dear friend, I pray that all may be well with you and that you may have good health – I know that all is well with your soul.

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

For it was a great joy to me, when some followers of the Lord came and testified to your fidelity to the truth. I know that your own life is guided by the truth.

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

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to hear from time to time that the lives of my children are guided by the truth.

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

Dear friend, you are faithful in all the things you do for other followers – even when they are strangers to you.

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,

They themselves have testified before the church to your love. You will do well to help them on their way in a manner worthy of the service of God.

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

For it was on behalf of Christ’s name that they set out, not accepting even one thing from the Gentiles.

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

Therefore, we should support people like them, and so take our share in their work 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 something to the church, but Diotrephes (who loves to be the leader among them) doesn’t welcome 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 his actions in telling wicked nonsense about us. Not content with that, he not only refuses to personally welcome our friends who are followers, but actually stops those who would, and expels them from the church.

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 friend, do not follow a bad example, but a good one. The person who does what is good is from God; the person who does what is bad has never 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.

Everyone has always had a good word for Demetrius, and the truth itself speaks for him. Yes, and we also add our good word, and you know that what we say is true.

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

I have many things to tell you, but I would rather not use 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.

I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. The friends here send you their greetings. Greet each one of our friends.