3 John 1

1. God’s children live by the standards of the gospel

Greetings

1The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. +

2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. + 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. +

Caring for the Lord’s Workers

5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; + 6which 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: + 7because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. + 8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. + 10Wherefore, 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. +

11Beloved, 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. + 12Demetrius 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. +

2. John’s final words

13I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: + 14but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. +

15Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.