3 John
Complete Jewish Bible
1 From: The Elder
To: Dear Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Dear friend, I am praying that everything prosper with you and that you be in good health, as I know you are prospering spiritually. 3 For I was so happy when some brothers came and testified how faithful you are to the truth, as you continue living in the truth. 4 Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing that my children are living in the truth.
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in all the work you are doing for the brothers, even when they are strangers to you. 6 They have testified to your love in front of the congregation. You will be doing well if you send them on their way in a manner worthy of God, 7 since it was for the sake of HaShem that they went out without accepting anything from the Goyim. 8 It is we, therefore, who should support such people; so that we may share in their work for the truth.
9 I wrote something to the congregation; but Diotrephes, who likes to be the macher among them, doesn’t recognize our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up everything he is doing, including his spiteful and groundless gossip about us. And as if that weren’t enough for him, he refuses to recognize the brothers’ authority either; moreover, he stops those who want to do so and tries to drive them out of the congregation!
11 Dear friend, don’t imitate the bad, but the good. Those who do what is good are from God; those who do what is bad are not from God.
12 Everyone speaks well of Demetrius, and so does the truth itself. We vouch for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I have much to write you, but I don’t want to write with pen and ink; 14 however, I am hoping to see you very soon, and we will speak face to face.
Shalom to you. Your friends send you their greetings. Greet each of our friends by name.
3 John
New King James Version
Greeting to Gaius
1 The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, (A)whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I (B)rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater (C)joy than to hear that (D)my children walk in [a]truth.
Gaius Commended for Generosity
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [b]and for strangers, 6 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, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, (E)taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to (F)receive[c] such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9 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
- 3 John 1:4 NU the truth
- 3 John 1:5 NU and especially for
- 3 John 1:8 NU support
- 3 John 1:10 talking nonsense
- 3 John 1:11 NU, M omit but
- 3 John 1:12 testify
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
