3 John 1

¹The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in [the] truth:

²Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul {also} prospers.

³For I was overjoyed [when the] brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in [which] you continue to walk.

⁴I have no greater joy than to hear [that] my children are walking in the truth.

⁵Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and [especially since] they are strangers [to you].

⁶[They] have testified to [the] church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

⁷For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.

⁸Therefore we ought to support such [men], so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

⁹I have written to the church [about this], but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our [instruction].

¹⁰So if I come, I will call attention to [his] malicious slander [against] us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting [them] out of the church.

¹¹Beloved, {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.

¹²Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify [for him], and you know that our testimony is true.

¹³I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not [to do so] with pen and ink.

¹⁴Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak [with you] [face] to [face]. Peace to you. The friends [ here ] send you greetings. Greet [each of our] friends [there] by name.