Greeting to Gaius

The Elder,

To the beloved Gaius, (A)whom I love in truth:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I (B)rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater (C)joy than to hear that (D)my children walk in [a]truth.

Gaius Commended for Generosity

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [b]and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, (E)taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to (F)receive[c] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, (G)prating[d] against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

11 Beloved, (H)do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. (I)He who does good is of God, [e]but he who does evil has not seen (J)God.

12 Demetrius (K)has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also [f]bear witness, (L)and you know that our testimony is true.

Farewell Greeting

13 (M)I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.

Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:4 NU the truth
  2. 3 John 1:5 NU and especially for
  3. 3 John 1:8 NU support
  4. 3 John 1:10 talking nonsense
  5. 3 John 1:11 NU, M omit but
  6. 3 John 1:12 testify

问候

我作长老的写信给亲爱的该犹,就是我真心所爱的。

亲爱的,我愿你事事安宁,身体健康,正如你的心神安宁一样。 我非常欢喜,有弟兄到这里来,证实你对真理的忠诚,就是你按着真理而行。 我听见我的儿女按真理而行,我的欢喜没有比这个更大的。

合作和反对

亲爱的,你对弟兄,特别是对作客旅的弟兄所做的都是忠诚的。 他们在教会面前证实了你的爱;你若以对得起 神的方式,为他们送行就好了; 因为他们是为基督的名[a]出外,并没有从未信的人接受什么。 所以,我们应当接待这样的人,好让我们与他们在真理上成为同工。

我曾写过一些东西给教会,但他们中间那好作领袖的丢特腓不接纳我们。 10 为此,我若去,要提起他所做的事,就是他用恶言攻击我们,还不满足,他自己不接纳弟兄,有人愿意接纳,他还阻止,并且把接纳弟兄的人赶出教会。

11 亲爱的,不要效法恶,只要效法善。行善的人属乎 神;行恶的人未曾见过 神。 12 低米丢行善,有众人给他作见证,又有真理给他作见证,就是我们也给他作见证,你知道我们的见证是真的。

问安

13 我还有许多事要写给你,却不愿意用笔墨来写给你, 14 但盼望很快见到你,我们好面对面谈论。 15 愿你平安!朋友们都向你问安。请你替我按着名字一一向朋友们问安。

Footnotes

  1. 1.7 “基督的名”: 原文直译“那名”。

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.