3 John
Wycliffe Bible
1 The elder man to Gaius, most dear brother [most dear], whom I love in truth.
2 Most dear brother, of all things I make prayer, that thou enter, and fare wellfully, as thy soul doeth wellfully.[a]
3 I joyed [full] greatly, for brethren came, and bare witnessing to thy truth, as thou walkest in truth.
4 I have not more grace of these things, than that I hear that my sons walk in truth.
5 Most dear brother, thou doest faithfully, whatever thou workest in brethren [Most dear, thou doest faithfully, whatever thou workest into brethren], and that into pilgrims,
6 which yielded witnessing to thy charity, in the sight of the church; which thou leadest forth [whom thou leadest forth], and doest well-worthily to God.
7 For they went forth for his name, and took nothing of heathen men. [Soothly for his name they went forth, nothing taking of heathen men.]
8 Therefore we owe to receive such, that we be even-workers of truth.
9 I had written peradventure to the church, but this Diotrephes, that loveth to bear primacy in them [that loveth for to bear primacy, or chief places, in them], receiveth not us.
10 For this thing, if I shall come, I shall admonish his works, which he doeth, chiding against us with evil words[b]. And as if these things suffice not to him, neither he receiveth brethren, and forbiddeth them that receive, and putteth out of the church [and casteth out of the church].
11 Most dear brother [Most dear], do not thou follow evil thing, but that that is good thing. He that doeth well, is of God; he that doeth evil, seeth not God.
12 Witnessing is yielded to Demetrius of all men, and of truth itself; but also we bear witnessing, and thou knowest, that our witnessing is true.
13 I had many things to write to thee, but I would not write to thee by ink and pen.
14 For I hope soon to see thee, and we shall speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Friends greet thee well. Greet thou well friends by name.
Footnotes
- 3 John 1:2 Most dear, of all things I make prayer, that thou enter, and fare wellsomely, as thy soul fareth wellsomely.
- 3 John 1:10 garring, or chiding/chattering against us with evil words
3 John
International Standard Version
Greetings from John
1 From:[a] The Elder
To: My dear friend Gaius, whom I genuinely love.
Encouragement for Gaius
2 Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way and that you are healthy, just as your soul is healthy. 3 I was overjoyed when some brothers arrived and testified about your truthfulness and how you live according to the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, especially when they are strangers. 6 They have testified before the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 After all, they went on their trip for the sake of the Name,[b] accepting no support from gentiles. 8 Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can become genuine helpers with them.
Criticism of Diotrephes
9 I wrote a letter[c] to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, will not recognize our authority.[d] 10 For this reason, when I come I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with that, he refuses to receive the brothers. He even tries to stop those who want to accept them[e] and throws them out of the church.
Praise for Demetrius
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The person who does what is good is from God. The person who does what is evil has never seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good report from everyone, including the truth itself. We, too, can testify to this report, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greeting
13 Although I have a great deal to write to you,[f] I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 Instead, I hope to see you[g] soon and speak face to face.
15 May peace be with you![h] Your friends greet you.[i] Greet[j] each of our friends by name.
Footnotes
- 3 John 1:1 The Gk. lacks From
- 3 John 1:7 I.e. God
- 3 John 1:9 Lit. wrote something
- 3 John 1:9 The Gk. lacks authority
- 3 John 1:10 The Gk. lacks accept them
- 3 John 1:13 Lit. you (sing.)
- 3 John 1:14 Lit. you (sing.)
- 3 John 1:15 Lit. you (sing.)
- 3 John 1:15 Lit. you (sing.)
- 3 John 1:15 The Gk. verb is sing.
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.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
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