III John 1

¹The Elder, to Gaius, most beloved, whom I love in the truth.

²Most beloved, concerning everything, I make it my prayer that you may benefit by advancing and succeeding in whatever may be to the benefit of your soul.

³I was very glad when the brothers arrived, and when they offered testimony to the truth in you, that you are walking in the truth.

⁴I have no greater grace than this, when I hear that my sons are walking in the truth.

⁵Most beloved, you should act faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, and those who are sojourners;

⁶they have given testimony to your charity in the sight of the Church. You would do well to lead these ones worthily to God.

⁷For they set out, on behalf of his name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers.

⁸Therefore, we must accept such as these, in order that we may cooperate with the truth.

⁹As it happens, I had written to the church. But Diotrephes, who loves to bear the highest rank among them, would not accept us.

¹⁰Because of this, when I come, I will admonish his works which he does, babbling against us with malicious words. And as if this were not sufficient for him, he himself does not receive the brothers. And those who do receive them, he hinders, and he ejects them from the church.

¹¹Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.

¹²Testimony is being given for Demetrius by everyone, and by the truth itself. And we also offer testimony. And you know that our testimony is true.

¹³I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing, through ink and pen, to write to you.

¹⁴Yet I hope to see you soon, and then we will speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

¹⁵

III John 1

¹The Ancient, to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

²Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously and fare well, as thy soul doth prosperously.

³I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

⁴I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.

⁵Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren: and that for strangers,

⁶Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the church. Whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of God:

⁷Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

⁸We therefore ought to receive such: that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.

⁹I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, doth not receive us.

¹⁰For this cause, if I come, I will advertise his works which he doth; with malicious words prating against us. And as if these things were not enough for him, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that do receive them he forbiddeth, and casteth out of the church.

¹¹Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil: but that which is good. He that doth good is of God: he that doth evil hath not seen God.

¹²To Demetrius, testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself: yea and we also give testimony. And thou knowest that our testimony is true.

¹³I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee.

¹⁴But I hope speedily to see thee: and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.