约翰三书
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
1 我这做长老的写信给亲爱的该犹，就是我本着真理所爱的人。 2 亲爱的弟兄，衷心地祝你凡事顺利，身体和灵魂一样健康。
该犹的好品行
3 有弟兄们来为你的行为做见证，说你忠心地遵行真理，这使我非常欣慰。 4 没有比听见自己的孩子遵行真理更使我欢喜了。
5 亲爱的弟兄，你常常忠心地照顾素不相识的弟兄， 6 他们把你的爱心告诉了教会。愿你照着上帝所喜悦的方式继续帮助他们， 7 因为他们为了主耶稣的名四处传道，不收取非信徒的任何东西。 8 我们应该接待这样的人，好与他们一同传扬真理。
丢特腓的恶行
9 我曾写信给你那里的教会，但喜欢做领袖的丢特腓不理会我们。 10 因此，我若去你们那里，会提及他的所作所为，就是他怎样恶言中伤我们。不仅如此，他还拒绝接待弟兄，并且禁止别人接待，甚至将接待的人赶出教会。
抑恶扬善
11 亲爱的弟兄，不要效法罪恶，要效法美善。行善的人属于上帝，行恶的人不认识上帝。 12 低米丢得到了众人的好评，真理本身也为他做见证，我们也为他做见证。你们知道我们的见证是真实的。
结语
13 我本来有很多事想跟你谈，但不想用笔墨写给你， 14 只希望可以快快地见到你，跟你当面畅谈。
15 祝你平安！这里的朋友们都问候你，请代我一一问候你那边的朋友。
3 John
The Message
1-4 The Pastor, to my good friend Gaius: How truly I love you! We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth. Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!
Model the Good
5-8 Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They’ve made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It’s good work you’re doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth.
9-10 Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel. If I come, you can be sure I’ll hold him to account for spreading vicious rumors about us.
As if that weren’t bad enough, he not only refuses hospitality to traveling Christians but tries to stop others from welcoming them. Worse yet, instead of inviting them in he throws them out.
11 Friend, don’t go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God’s work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn’t know the first thing about God.
12 Everyone has a good word for Demetrius—the Truth itself stands up for Demetrius! We concur, and you know we don’t hand out endorsements lightly.
13-14 I have a lot more things to tell you, but I’d rather not use pen and ink. I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk.
Peace to you. The friends here say hello. Greet our friends there by name.
3 John
King James Version
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 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:
7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 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.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson