John (The Third Epistle of )
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
For I was very glad when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, [that is,] how you are walking in truth.
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially [when they are] strangers;
and they bear witness to your love before the church; and you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and he forbids those who desire [to do so,] and puts [them] out of the church.
Beloved, 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.
Demetrius has received a [good] testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and you know that our witness is true.
I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write [them] to you with pen and ink;
but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace [be] to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
