3 John 1

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

1From the Elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I truly love.

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

2Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way and that you are healthy, just as your soul is doing well.

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

3I was very happy when some believers came and told me about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to live by it.

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

4Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

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

5Dear friend, you are being faithful in whatever you do for the fellow believers, even though they are strangers to you.

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

6They have told the church about your love. You will do well to help them on their journey in a way that honors God.

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

7They went out on their journey for the sake of the Name, and they did not accept any help from non-believers.

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

8So we should support people like this so that we can work together for the truth.

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

9I wrote a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, refuses to have anything to do with us.

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.

10So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing—spreading wicked nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the fellow believers himself. He even stops those who want to welcome them and kicks 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.

11Dear friend, do not follow a bad example, but follow what is good. Anyone who does what is good belongs to God; anyone who does what is evil has 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.

12Everyone speaks well of Demetrius, and the truth itself backs him up. We also speak well of him, and you know that what we say is true.

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

13I have a lot more to tell you, but I do not want to write it with pen and ink.

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.

14I hope to see you soon, and then we can talk face to face. Peace be with you. Your friends here send their greetings. Greet our friends there by name.