Shared Word Translation
3 John 1
Greeting
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it goes well with your soul.
Commendation of Gaius
For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified to your truth, as you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers, even though they are strangers, who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but what is 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 testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
I had much to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.