The Third Epistle of

John

*aThe elder unto the wellbeloved bGaius, awhom I love ||in the truth. 2 Beloved, I ||cwish above all things that thou mayest dprosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I erejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and rtestified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou ewalkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that fmy children ewalk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to gthe brethren, and to hstrangers; 6 which 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: 7 because that for his name’s sake they went forth, ltaking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 mWe therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, 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. 11 Beloved, 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. 12 Demetrius 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.

13 tI had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14 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 uby name.