¹¹Beloved, be not thou following that which is evil, but that which is good; he who is doing good, of God he is, and he who is doing evil hath not seen God.

¹²To Demetrius testimony hath been given by all, and by the truth itself, and we also—we do testify, and ye have known that our testimony is true. ¹³Many things I had to write, but I do not wish through ink and pen to write to thee, ¹⁴and I hope straightway to see thee, and mouth to mouth we shall speak. Peace to thee! salute thee do the friends; be saluting the friends by name.

Chapter 1

Read in Logos

Public Domain.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Dear 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. Everyone speaks well of Demetrius—even the truth itself. And we also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

I have many things to write you, but I don’t want to write to you with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace to you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.

NLTNew Living Translation

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink. For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face.

Peace be with you.

Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Dear 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 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.

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

KJV 1900King James Version

Beloved, 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. Demetrius 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.

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

Public Domain