3 John 1

1 I, a ruler in the church, send word to the well loved Gaius, for whom I have true love.

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

2 My loved one, it is my prayer that you may do well in all things, and be healthy in body, even as your soul does well.

Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously, and fare well as thy soul doth prosperously.

3 For it gave me great joy when some of the brothers came and gave witness that you had the true faith and were walking in the true way.

I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to have news that my children are walking in the true way.

I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.

5 My loved one, you are doing a good work in being kind to those brothers who come from other places;

Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren, and that for strangers,

6 Who have given witness to the church of your love for them: and you will do well to send them on their way well cared for, as is right for servants of God:

Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the church: whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God.

7 For they went out for love of the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 So it is right for us to take in such men as guests, so that we may take our part in the work of the true faith.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.

9 I sent a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, whose desire is ever to have the first place among them, will not have us there.

I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us.

10 So if I come, I will keep in mind the things he does, talking against us with evil words: and as if this was not enough, he does not take the brothers into his house, and those who are ready to take them in, he keeps from doing so, putting them out of the church if they do.

For this cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth, with malicious words prating against us. And as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the church.

11 My loved one, do not be copying what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God: he who does evil has not seen God.

Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good, is of God: he that doth evil, hath not seen God.

12 Demetrius has the approval of all men and of what is true: and we give the same witness, and you are certain that our witness is true.

To Demetrius testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself, yea and we also give testimony: and thou knowest that our testimony is true.

13 I had much to say to you, but it is not my purpose to put it all down with ink and pen:

I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee.

14 But I am hoping to see you in a short time, and to have talk with you face to face. May you have peace. Your friends here send you their love. Give my love to our friends by name.

But I hope speedily to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.