3 John

^aThe elder unto the wellbeloved ^bGaius, ^awhom I love in the truth. ²Beloved, I ^cwish above all things that thou mayest ^dprosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. ³For I ^erejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and ^rtestified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou ^ewalkest in the truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that ^fmy children ^ewalk in truth. ⁵Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to ^gthe brethren, and to ^hstrangers; ⁶which have ^rborne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou ⁱbring forward on their journey after a godly sort, ^kthou shalt do well: ⁷because that for his name’s sake they went forth, ^ltaking nothing of the Gentiles. ^8mWe 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, ⁿprating 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, ^ofollow not that which is evil, but that which is good. ^pHe that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil ^qhath not seen God. ¹²Demetrius ^rhath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; ^sand ye know that our record is true.

^13tI 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 ^uby name.