3 John
World English Bible
1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.
5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, 7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. 11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. 12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 14 but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
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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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 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.
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