3 John 1

1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

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

2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be healthy, just as it is well with your soul.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and bore witness to your truth, just as you walk in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

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

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Beloved, you practice faithfulness whenever you work for the brothers and for strangers

6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

who have borne witness of your love in the presence of the church. You do well to send them off on their journey in a manner worthy of God,

7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

because it was for the sake of the name that they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

We therefore should welcome such as these, so that we will be fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not receive us.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church.

So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. Not satisfied with that, he not only refused to welcome the brothers himself, but he also stops those who want to welcome them and puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius hath good report of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, and we [also] bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

Demetrius is borne witness to by all and by the truth itself. We also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

I had many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write them to you with pen and ink.

14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

But I expect to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. May peace be with you. The friends greet you. Greet our friends there by name.