3John.1.1

The Pastor, to my good friend Gaius: How truly I love you!

3John.1.1

The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

3John.1.1

The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

3John.1.1

This letter is from John the Elder. It is written to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

3John.1.2

We're the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health--that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!

3John.1.2

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

3John.1.2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3John.1.2

Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is.

3John.1.3

I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth.

3John.1.3

It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.

3John.1.3

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

3John.1.3

Some of the brothers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living in the truth.

3John.1.4

Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

3John.1.4

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

3John.1.4

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

3John.1.4

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth.

3John.1.5

Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible.

3John.1.5

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.

3John.1.5

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

3John.1.5

Dear friend, you are doing a good work for God when you take care of the traveling teachers who are passing through, even though they are strangers to you.

3John.1.6

They've made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It's good work you're doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself!

3John.1.6

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

3John.1.6

who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

3John.1.6

They have told the church here of your friendship and your loving deeds. You do well to send them on their way in a manner that pleases God.

3John.1.7

They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers.

3John.1.7

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.

3John.1.7

because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

3John.1.7

For they are traveling for the Lord and accept nothing from those who are not Christians.

3John.1.8

So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth.

3John.1.8

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

3John.1.8

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

3John.1.8

So we ourselves should support them so that we may become partners with them for the truth.

3John.1.9

Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel.

3John.1.9

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us.

3John.1.9

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

3John.1.9

I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, does not acknowledge our authority.

3John.1.10

If I come, you can be sure I'll hold him to account for spreading vicious rumors about us. As if that weren't bad enough, he not only refuses hospitality to traveling Christians but tries to stop others from welcoming them. Worse yet, instead of inviting them in he throws them out.

3John.1.10

So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

3John.1.10

Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

3John.1.10

When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the wicked things he is saying about us. He not only refuses to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

3John.1.11

Friend, don't go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God's work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn't know the first thing about God.

3John.1.11

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.

3John.1.11

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

3John.1.11

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.

3John.1.12

Everyone has a good word for Demetrius--the Truth itself stands up for Demetrius! We concur, and you know we don't hand out endorsements lightly.

3John.1.12

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.

3John.1.12

Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

3John.1.12

But everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, even truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

3John.1.13

I have a lot more things to tell you, but I'd rather not use pen and ink.

3John.1.13

I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.

3John.1.13

I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

3John.1.13

I have much to tell you, but I don't want to do it in a letter.

3John.1.14

I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk. Peace to you. The friends here say hello. Greet our friends there by name.

3John.1.14

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.

3John.1.14

but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

3John.1.14

For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face.