3 John 1

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

THE Elder, to my beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Most beloved, concerning everything, I make it my prayer that you may benefit by advancing and succeeding in whatever may be to the benefit of your soul.

Our beloved; in all things, I pray for thee that thou mayest prosper and be in health, as thy soul doth prosper.

3 I was very glad when the brothers arrived, and when they offered testimony to the truth in you, that you are walking in the truth.

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified concerning thy integrity, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater grace than this, when I hear that my sons are walking in the truth.

And I have no greater joy, than to hear that my children walk in the truth.

5 Most beloved, you should act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and those who are sojourners;

Our beloved, thou doest in faith, what thou performest towards the brethren; and especially towards strangers,

6 they have given testimony to your charity in the sight of the Church. You would do well to lead these ones worthily to God.

who have borne testimony to thy charity before the whole church, to whom thou doest good, as is pleasing to God.

7 For they set out, on behalf of his name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers.

For they went forth in behalf of his name, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 Therefore, we must accept such as these, in order that we may cooperate with the truth.

We therefore ought to receive such persons, that we may be aiders of the truth.

9 As it happens, I had written to the church. But Diotrephes, who loves to bear the highest rank among them, would not accept us.

I was desirous of writing to the church; but he who loveth to be foremost among them, Diotrephes, receiveth us not.

10 Because of this, when I come, I will admonish his works which he does, babbling against us with malicious words. And as if this were not sufficient for him, he himself does not receive the brothers. And those who do receive them, he hinders, and he ejects them from the church.

Therefore, if he come, remember those his doings, that he treated us with malignant words; and this not sufficing him, he received not the brethren; and those who would receive them, he prohibited, and even ejected them from the church.

11 Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.

Our beloved, be not a follower of what is evil, but of what is good. He that doeth good, is of God; but he that doeth evil, hath not seen God.

12 Testimony is being given for Demetrius by everyone, and by the truth itself. And we also offer testimony. And you know that our testimony is true.

Of Demetrius, there is good testimony from every one, and from the church, and from the truth itself: and we also bear him testimony, and ye know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing, through ink and pen, to write to you.

I had many things to write to thee; but I will not write them to thee with ink and pen.

14 Yet I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

But I hope soon to see thee, and to converse mouth to mouth. [ (III John 1:15) Peace be with thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends, severally, by name. ]