The Third Letter of John

Greeting

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, concerning everything, I pray it goes well for you, and you be in good health as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly while the brothers were coming and witnessing the truth to you as you walk in the truth. 4 I do not have greater joy than this, to hear my children are walking in truth.

Support and Opposition

5 Beloved, you do a faithful thing, whatever your works for the brothers and these strangers are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them forth in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they went out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore, we ought to receive those like these in order that we may be fellow workers in the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not receive us. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will remember his works that he does, speaking evil words against us.^a And not being content with that, he does not receive the brothers, and those willing to he stops and throws them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate^b evil but imitate good. The one doing good is of God; the one doing evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has been witnessed by everybody and from the truth itself. We also witness, and you know our witness is true.

Final Greetings

13 I had much to write to you, but I am not wishing to write to you through pen and ink. 14 But I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.