我這作長老的寫信給親愛的該猶,就是我本著真理所愛的人。 親愛的弟兄,衷心地祝你凡事順利,身體和靈魂一樣健康。

該猶的好品行

有弟兄們來為你的行為做見證,說你忠心地遵行真理,這使我非常欣慰。 沒有比聽見自己的孩子遵行真理更使我歡喜了。

親愛的弟兄,你常常忠心地照顧素不相識的弟兄, 他們把你的愛心告訴了教會。願你照著上帝所喜悅的方式繼續幫助他們, 因為他們為了主耶穌的名四處傳道,不收取非信徒的任何東西。 我們應該接待這樣的人,好與他們一同傳揚真理。

丟特腓的惡行

我曾寫信給你那裡的教會,但喜歡做領袖的丟特腓不理會我們。 10 因此,我若去你們那裡,會提及他的所作所為,就是他怎樣惡言中傷我們。不僅如此,他還拒絕接待弟兄,並且禁止別人接待,甚至將接待的人趕出教會。

抑惡揚善

11 親愛的弟兄,不要效法罪惡,要效法美善。行善的人屬於上帝,行惡的人不認識上帝。 12 低米丟得到了眾人的好評,真理本身也為他做見證,我們也為他做見證。你們知道我們的見證是真實的。

結語

13 我本來有很多事想跟你談,但不想用筆墨寫給你, 14 只希望可以快快地見到你,跟你當面暢談。

15 祝你平安!這裡的朋友們都問候你,請代我一一問候你那邊的朋友。

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