New Testament · 3 John

3 John 1

A Greeting from the Elder

(2 John 1:1–3)

1The elder, to beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth^a.

2Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul^b. 3For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are walking in truth. 4I have no greater joy^c than to hear that my children are walking in truth.

Gaius Commended for Hospitality

5Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your service to the brothers, especially to strangers, 6who have testified to your love before the ekklesia; you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.^d 7For they have gone out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the nations. 8We therefore ought to support such people, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9I have written to the ekklesia, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not acknowledge us. 10So if I come, I will bring up 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 ekklesia.

11Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good; whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; we also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

Conclusion

(2 John 1:12–13)

13I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14I hope^e to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace^f be to you; the friends^g greet you; greet the friends by name.