3 John 1

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

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

2 Beloved! concerning all things, I pray thou mayest be prospering, and be in health, even as, thy soul, is prospering,

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

3 For I rejoiced exceedingly, at brethren coming and bearing witness unto thy truth, —even as, thou, in truth, art walking.

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

4 I have no, greater, favour than these things, that I should be hearing that, my own children, in the truth, are walking.

I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

5 Beloved! a faithful thing, art thou doing, whatsoever thou shalt accomplish for them that are brethren, and withal strangers, —

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

6 Who have borne witness to thy love before the assembly: whom thou wilt do, nobly, to set forward worthily of God.

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,

7 For, in behalf of The Name, have they gone forth, taking, nothing, from them of the nations.

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

8 We, therefore ought to be sustaining such as these, that we may become, fellowworkers, with the truth.

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

9 I wrote something unto the assembly; but, he who is fond of taking the first place among them—Diotrephes, doth not make us welcome.

I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first amongst them, doesn’t accept what we say.

10 For this cause, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he is doing, —with wicked words, prating against us; and, not content with these, he neither, himself, maketh the brethren welcome, but, them who are minded [to do it], he forbiddeth, and, out of the assembly, doth cast [them].

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.

11 Beloved! be not thou imitating what is bad, but what is good. He that doeth good, is, of God: he that doeth what is bad, hath not seen God.

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.

12 Unto Demetrius, hath witness been borne by all and by the truth itself; howbeit, we also, bear witness, and thou knowest that, our witness, is, true.

Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 Many things, had I to write unto thee, —but I am unwilling, with ink and pen, to be writing;

I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

14 I hope, however, straightway, to see thee, and, mouth to mouth, will we talk. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

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.