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
Modern English Version
Salutation
The elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, even as your soul is well. 3 For I greatly rejoiced when brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Working Together
5 Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and for strangers, 6 who have testified of your love before the church. You will do well to send them along on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For His name’s sake they went out, receiving no help from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to receive such men, that we might be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first among them, did not accept us. 10 Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what kinds of works he does: ranting against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not accept the brothers, and stops those who want to, and throws them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. Whoever does good is from God, but whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius receives good reports from everyone and from the truth itself. Yes, and we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had many things to write, but I would rather not write to you with pen and ink. 14 Instead, I hope to see you soon, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
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The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.