3 John 1

1

¹This letter comes from the elder to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

²My friend, I pray most of all that you're doing well and are in good physical health, for I know you're doing well spiritually.

³I was delighted when some fellow-believers arrived and told me about your commitment to the truth, and how you continue living in the truth.

⁴Nothing makes me happier than to hear how my dear friends are following the truth.

⁵My friend, you show you are trustworthy in what you're doing by looking after the brothers, even those you don't know.

⁶They have spoken well about your love in front of the church. Please be so kind as to send them on their journey in a way that God would appreciate,

⁷for they are traveling in his name, not accepting anything from non-believers.

⁸We ought to support them so we can share together in the truth.

⁹I did write about this to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, refuses to accept our authority.

¹⁰So if I do visit, I will make it clear what he's been doing. He's been making malicious accusations against us. Not satisfied with doing that, he refuses to welcome any other brothers. He won't let anyone else welcome them either, and throws those who do so out of the church.

¹¹My friend, don't imitate what is evil, but what is good. Those who do what's good belong to God; those who do evil don't know God.

¹²Everyone speaks well of Demetrius—and the truth does so too! We also speak well of him, and you know we tell the truth.

¹³I have so much to say to you, but I don't want to do it in writing with pen and ink.

¹⁴I hope to see you soon so we can talk face to face.

¹⁵May peace be with you! The friends here send their greetings to you. Please personally greet our friends there by name.