JB 3 JOHN Chapter 1

THE THIRD LETTER OF JOHN

1:1 From the Elder: greetings to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

1:2 My dear friend, I hope everything is going happily with you and that you are as well physically as you are spiritually.

1:3 It was a great joy to me when some brothers came and told of your faithfulness to the truth, and of your life in the truth.

1:4 It is always my greatest joy to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

1:5 My friend, you have done faithful work in looking after these brothers, even though they were complete strangers to you.

1:6 They are a proof to the whole Church of your charity and it would be a very good thing if you could help them on their journey in a way that God would approve.

1:7 It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the pagans for anything;

1:8 it is our duty to welcome men of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.

Beware of the example of Diotrephes

1:9 I have written a note for the members of the church, but Diotrephes, who seems to enjoy being in charge of it, refuses to accept us.

1:10 So if I come, I shall tell everyone how he has behaved, and about the wicked accusations he has been circulating against us. As if that were not enough, he not only refuses to welcome our brothers, but prevents the other people who would have liked to from doing it, and expels them from the church.

1:11 My dear friend, never follow such a bad example, but keep following the good one; anyone who does what is right is a child of God, but the person who does what is wrong has never seen God.

Commendation of Demetrius

1:12 Demetrius has been approved by everyone, and indeed by the truth itself. We too will vouch for him and you know that our testimony is true.

Epilogue

1:13 There were several things I had to tell you but I would rather not trust them to pen and ink.

1:14 However, I hope to see you soon and talk to you personally.

1:15 Peace be with you; greetings from your friends; greet each of our friends by name.

END OF JB 3 JOHN [1 Chapter].