3 John

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

1This letter is from the elder, a leader in the church. It is for Gaius, his dear friend. I love him because of the truth we both believe.

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

2Dear friend, I pray that things go well for you. I pray you are healthy and strong. Your soul is already doing well.

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

3Some brothers in the faith came to me. They told me that you hold on to God's truth. You keep living that way. Their news made me very glad.

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

4Nothing makes me happier than this. I hear that my children keep living in the truth. I call them my children because I helped them learn about God.

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

5Dear friend, you are faithful in everything you do for the brothers. You help them even when you do not know them.

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:

6They told the church how much you love people. Now help them keep going on their trip. Send them off in a way that pleases God. That is a good thing to do.

NoteThe King James Bible says "charity" here. In 1611 that word meant love, not giving money to the poor.

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

7They went out to serve Jesus. They took no money from people who were not Jews.

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

8So we should take care of people like this. Then we are working together for the truth.

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

9I wrote a letter to the church. But Diotrephes will not listen to us. He loves to be the most important one there.

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.

10So if I come, I will speak up about what he does. He says unkind, untrue things about us. And that is not all. He will not welcome the brothers. He stops other people who want to welcome them. He even puts those people out of the church.

NoteThe King James Bible says "prating." That meant talking on and on. Here it means saying unkind, untrue things.

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.

11Dear friend, do not copy what is bad. Copy what is good. Whoever does good belongs to God. Whoever does bad has never really 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.

12Everyone speaks well of Demetrius. The truth itself speaks well of him too. We speak well of him as well. And you know that what we say is true.

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

13I have many more things to tell you. But I do not want to write them with pen and ink.

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.

14I hope to see you soon. Then we can talk face to face. May you have peace. Your friends here say hello. Please say hello to each friend there, by name.