3 John 1

John writes to Gaius, praising his faithfulness in showing hospitality to traveling brethren who went forth for Christ's name's sake. He condemns Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence and refuses to receive the brethren, and commends Demetrius, who has a good report from all men and from the truth itself.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.	From the elder — to my dearly loved friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2	Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.	Dear friend, above all else I pray that you may prosper and be in good health — just as your soul is prospering.
3	For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.	I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and told me about the truth that is in you — how you are walking in the truth.
4	I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.	I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children walk in truth.
5	Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;	Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in everything you do for the brethren — even when they are strangers to you.
6	Which 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:	They have testified to your charity before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7	Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.	For they went out for the sake of His name, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8	We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.	So we ought to welcome such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9	I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.	I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, will not receive us.
10	Wherefore, 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.	So when I come, I will call attention to the things he is doing — chattering against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he refuses to receive the brethren himself, he stops those who would, and he throws them out of the church.
11	Beloved, 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.	Dear friend, 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.
12	Demetrius 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.	Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone — and by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13	I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:	I had many things to write to you, but I do not want to write them with pen and ink.
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 by name.	I am trusting that I will see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.