III John 1

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

²Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

³For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.

⁴I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

⁵Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.

⁶They have testified about your love before the church. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God,

⁷because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the pagans.

⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

⁹I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.

¹⁰Therefore, 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 church.

¹¹Beloved, do not 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.

¹²Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.

¹³I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

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

¹⁵

III John 1

¹The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

²Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

³For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

⁵Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

⁶Which 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:

⁷Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

⁹I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

¹⁰Wherefore, 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.

¹¹Beloved, 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.

¹²Demetrius 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.

¹³I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

¹⁴But 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.