3 John

Greeting

¹The elder, to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in the truth. ²Dear friend, I pray you may prosper concerning everything and be healthy, just as your soul prospers. ³For I rejoiced exceedingly when the^* brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are walking in the truth. ⁴I have no greater joy than this: that I hear my children are walking in the truth.

Instructions to Gaius

⁵Dear friend, you act faithfully^a in whatever you do for the brothers, even though they are strangers^b. ⁶They have testified to your love before the church; you will do well to send them^c on their way in a manner worthy of God. ⁷For they have gone out on behalf of the name, accepting nothing from the pagans.^{d 8}Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become fellow workers with the truth.

Diotrephes Causes Trouble

⁹I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who wants to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. ¹⁰Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing^e, disparaging us with evil words. And not being content with these, he does not receive the brothers himself, and he hinders those wanting to do so and throws them out of the church. ¹¹Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Demetrius Commended

¹²Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. And we also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.

Conclusion and Final Greeting

¹³I have many things to write to you, but I do not want to write to you by means of ink and pen. ¹⁴But I hope to see you right away, and to speak face to face^f. ¹⁵Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.