3 John

3 John

Greeting to a Beloved Friend

From the elder,

to the beloved Gaius,

whom I love in truth.

Beloved, I pray that you are prospering in every way

and that you are in good health,

just as your life is thriving.

I was overjoyed when some brothers and sisters came

and testified about your truth—

how you are walking in the truth.

I have no greater joy

than to hear that my children

are walking in the truth.

A Faithful Host

Beloved,

you are acting faithfully

in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters—

especially those who are strangers.

They have testified to your love before the gathering.

You will do well to send them on their way

in a manner worthy of God.

For they went out for the sake of the Name,

accepting nothing from the nations.

Therefore, we ought to support such people,

so that we may be fellow workers in the truth.

Confronting Arrogance

I wrote something to the gathering,

but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first,

does not welcome us.

So if I come,

I will bring attention to what he is doing—

spreading false accusations against us.

And not satisfied with that,

he refuses to welcome the brothers,

and even prevents those who want to

and puts them out of the gathering.

Beloved,

do not imitate what is evil,

but what is good.

The one who does good is from God.

The one who does evil

has not seen God.

A Good Example

Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone,

and from the truth itself.

We also speak well of him,

and you know that our testimony is true.

Face to Face Soon

I have many things to write to you,

but I do not want to write with pen and ink.

I hope to see you soon,

and we will speak face to face.

Peace be with you.

The friends here greet you.

Greet the friends there by name.