3 John 1

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

The Elder to his dear friend Gaius. Truly I love you.

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

My dear friend, I pray that you may in all respects prosper and enjoy good health, just as your soul already prospers.

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

For it is an intense joy to me when brethren come and bear witness to your fidelity to the truth--that you live in obedience to 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 living in obedience to the truth.

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

My dear friend, you are acting faithfully in all your behaviour towards the brethren, 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 have testified, in the presence of the Church, to your love; and you will do well to help them on their journey in a manner worthy of your fellowship with God.

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

For it is for Christ that they have gone forth, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

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

It is therefore our duty to show hospitality to such men, so that we may be fellow workers in promoting 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 have the first place among them, refuses to listen to 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.

For this reason, if I come, I shall not forget his conduct, nor his idle and mischievous talk against us. And he does not stop there: he not only will not receive the brethren, but those who desire to do this he hinders, and excludes 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.

My dear friend, do not follow wrong examples, but right ones. He who habitually does what is right is a child of God: he who habitually does what is wrong 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.

The character of Demetrius has the approval of all men, and of the truth itself. We also express our approval of it, and you know that we only give our approval to that which 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 a great deal to say to you, but I do not wish to go on writing it with ink and pen.

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.

But I hope to see you very soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace be with you. Our friends send greetings to you. Greet our friends individually.