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 the truth.

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

Beloved, I pray that in all respects yoʋ may prosper and be in good health, even as yoʋr soul prospers.

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

For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about yoʋr faithfulness to the truth and how yoʋ walk in the 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 the truth.

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

Beloved, yoʋ are acting faithfully in whatever yoʋ do for the brothers and for those who 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 have testified of yoʋr love before the church, and yoʋ will do well to send 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.

For they went out for the sake of the Name, receiving nothing from the Gentiles.

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

Therefore we ought to receive men like them, so that we may be fellow workers 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 church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, 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 call attention to what he is doing and the evil accusations of nonsense that he is making against us. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to receive the brothers, but also stops those who want to do so and throws them out of 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.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Whoever does good is of God; whoever 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, and by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you 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 have much to write, but I do not want to write to yoʋ 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.

I hope to see yoʋ soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be with yoʋ. The friends greet yoʋ. Greet the friends by name.