3 John 1
1
Greeting
1From the elder.
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I truly love.
2Dear friend, I’m praying that all is well with you and that you enjoy good health in the same way that you prosper spiritually.
Encouragement for Gaius
3I was overjoyed when the brothers and sisters arrived and spoke highly of your faithfulness to the truth, shown by how you live according to the truth. 4I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth. 5Dear friend, you act faithfully in whatever you do for our brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers. 6They spoke highly of your love in front of the church. You all would do well to provide for their journey in a way that honors God, 7because they left on their journey for the sake of Jesus Christ without accepting any support from the Gentiles. 8Therefore, we ought to help people like this so that we can be coworkers with the truth.
Criticism of Diotrephes
9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, doesn’t welcome us. 10Because of this, if I come, I will bring up what he has done—making unjustified and wicked accusations against us. And as if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers and sisters but stops those who want to do so and even throws them out of the church! 11Dear friend, don’t imitate what is bad but what is good. Whoever practices what is good belongs to God. Whoever practices what is bad has not seen God.
Approval of Demetrius
12Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, even the truth itself. We also speak highly of him, and you know that what we say is true.
Final greeting
13I have a lot to say to you, but I don’t want to use pen and ink. 14I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face-to-face.
15Peace be with you. Your friends here greet you. Greet our friends there by name.
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2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
3 John 1
1
You Walk in the Truth
1The elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved and esteemed Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. 3For I was greatly pleased when [some of the] brothers came [from time to time] and testified to your [faithfulness to the] truth [of the gospel message], that is, how you are walking in truth. 4I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living [their lives] in the truth.
5Beloved, you are acting faithfully in what you are providing for the brothers, and especially when they are strangers; 6and they have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to [assist them and] send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7For these [traveling missionaries] went out for the sake of the Name [of Christ], accepting nothing [in the way of assistance] from the Gentiles. 8So we ought to support such people [welcoming them as guests and providing for them], so that we may be fellow workers for the truth [that is, for the gospel message of salvation].
9I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to put himself first, does not accept what we say and refuses to recognize my authority. 10For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, unjustly accusing us with wicked words and unjustified charges. And not satisfied with this, he refuses to receive the [missionary] brothers himself, and also forbids those who want to [welcome them] and puts them out of the church.
11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. [1 John 3:6] 12Demetrius has received a good testimony and commendation from everyone—and from the truth [the standard of God’s word] itself; and we add our testimony and speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13I had many things [to say when I began] to write to you, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (reed) and #1:13 A mixture of water, charcoal, and gum resin used for writing.black (ink); 14but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak #1:14 Lit mouth to mouth.face to face. [Num 12:8]
15Peace be to you. The friends [here] greet you. Greet the friends [personally] by name.
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