Iohannis Iii 1
1 Senior Gajo carissimo, quem ego diligo in veritate.
From the elder to his dear friend Gaius, whom he sincerely loves.
2 Carissime, de omnibus orationem facio prospere te ingredi, et valere sicut prospere agit anima tua.
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 Gavisus sum valde venientibus fratribus, et testimonium perhibentibus veritati tuæ, sicut tu in veritate ambulas.
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 Majorem horum non habeo gratiam, quam ut audiam filios meos in veritate ambulare.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to hear from time to time that the lives of my children are guided by the truth.
5 Carissime, fideliter facis quidquid operaris in fratres, et hoc in peregrinos,
Dear friend, you are faithful in all the things you do for other followers – even when they are strangers to you.
6 qui testimonium reddiderunt caritati tuæ in conspectu ecclesiæ: quos, benefaciens, deduces digne Deo.
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 Pro nomine enim ejus profecti sunt, nihil accipientes a gentibus.
For it was on behalf of Christ’s name that they set out, not accepting even one thing from the Gentiles.
8 Nos ergo debemus suscipere hujusmodi, ut cooperatores simus veritatis.
Therefore, we should support people like them, and so take our share in their work for the truth.
9 Scripsissem forsitan ecclesiæ: sed is qui amat primatum gerere in eis, Diotrephes, non recipit nos:
I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes (who loves to be the leader among them) doesn’t welcome us.
10 propter hoc si venero, commonebo ejus opera, quæ facit, verbis malignis garriens in nos: et quasi non ei ista sufficiant, neque ipse suscipit fratres: et eos qui suscipiunt, prohibet, et de ecclesia ejicit.
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 Carissime, noli imitari malum, sed quod bonum est. Qui benefacit, ex Deo est: qui malefacit, non vidit Deum.
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 Demetrio testimonium redditur ab omnibus, et ab ipsa veritate, sed et nos testimonium perhibemus: et nosti quoniam testimonium nostrum verum est.
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 Multa habui tibi scribere: sed nolui per atramentum et calamum scribere tibi.
I have many things to tell you, but I would rather not use pen and ink.
14 Spero autem protinus te videre, et os ad os loquemur. Pax tibi. Salutant te amici. Saluta amicos nominatim.
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.
