3 John — Chapter 1

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

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

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

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

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

6Which 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:

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

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

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

10Wherefore, 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.

11Beloved, 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.

12Demetrius 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.

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

14But 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.

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

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

3For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

4Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

5Beloved, thou doest a faithful work in whatsoever thou doest toward them that are brethren and strangers withal;

6who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:

7because that for the sake of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.

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

10Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth [them] out of the church.

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

12Demetrius hath the witness of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear witness: and thou knowest that our witness is true.

13I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write [them] to thee with ink and pen:

14but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.

1From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love in truth.

2Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.

3For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth.

4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

5Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers).

6They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

7For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans.

8Therefore we ought to support such people so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth.

9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us.

10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing—the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!

11Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.

12Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.

13I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink.

14But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face. (1:15) Peace be with you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.

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

2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

3For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

4I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

5Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

6They 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,

7because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

9I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

10Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

11Beloved, 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.

12Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

13I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

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