3 John 1 - Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

1 Greetings from the Elder.[a]

To my dear friend Gaius, a person I truly love.

2 My dear friend, I know that you are doing well spiritually. So I pray that everything else is going well with you and that you are enjoying good health. 3 Some believers came and told me about the truth[b] in your life. They told me that you continue to follow the way of truth. This made me very happy. 4 It always gives me the greatest joy when I hear that my children are following the way of truth.

5 My dear friend, it is good that you continue to help the believers. They are people you don’t even know. 6 They told the church about the love you have. Please help them to continue their trip. Help them in a way that will please God. 7 They went on their trip to serve Christ. They did not accept any help from people who are not believers. 8 So we should help them. When we help them, we share with their work for the truth.

9 I wrote a letter to the church, but Diotrephes will not listen to what we say. He always wants to be the leader. 10 When I come, I will talk with him about what he is doing. He lies and says evil things about us, but that is not all. He refuses to welcome and help the believers who travel there. And he will not let others help them. If they do, he stops them from meeting with the church anymore.

11 My dear friend, don’t follow what is bad; follow what is good. Whoever does what is good is from God. But whoever does evil has never known God.

12 Everyone says good things about Demetrius, and the truth agrees with what they say. Also, we say good about him. And you know that what we say is true.

13 I have many things I want to tell you. But I don’t want to use pen and ink. 14 I hope to visit you soon. Then we can be together and talk. 15 Peace to you. The friends here with me send their love. Please give our love to each one of the friends there.

Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:1 Elder This is probably John the apostle. “Elder” means an older man or a special leader in the church (as in Titus 1:5).
  2. 3 John 1:3 truth The truth or “Good News” about Jesus Christ that joins all believers together. Also in verses 8, 12.

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3 John 1 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 The Elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth! 2 beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper, 3 for I rejoiced exceedingly, brethren coming and testifying of the truth in thee, even as thou in truth dost walk; 4 greater than th...
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3 John 1 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

1 The elder man to Gaius, most dear brother [most dear], whom I love in truth. 2 Most dear brother, of all things I make prayer, that thou enter, and fare wellfully, as thy soul doeth wellfully.[a] 3 I joyed [full] greatly, for brethren came, and bare witnessing to thy truth, as thou walkest in tr...
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3 John 1 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

1 From the leader of the church people. I send greetings to my dear Gaius. I love you because you have Christ. 2 My dear brother, I ask God that you may be all right in every way and that your body may be well. I know that your soul is all right. 3 I was very happy when the brothers came and told me...
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3 John 1 - World English Bible (WEB)

1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear...
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3 John 1 - The Voice (VOICE)

1 I, the elder, to Gaius, who is much loved by all and loved in truth by me. 2 My beloved friend, I pray that everything is going well for you and that your body is as healthy as your soul is prosperous. 3 I was thrilled when the brothers and sisters came and told me stories of your faithfulness as...
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3 John 1 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

The Joys of Walking Out the Truth1 The elder.To Gaius the loved one, whom I love in truth: 2 Loved ones, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 For I was overjoyed when some brethren came and testified of the truth in you—how yo...
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3 John 1 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Salutation1 The elder to the beloved Ga′ius, whom I love in the truth. Gaius Commended for His Hospitality2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul. 3 For I greatly rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and testified to...
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3 John 1 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Salutation1 The elder to the beloved Ga′ius, whom I love in the truth. Gaius Commended for His Hospitality2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in health; I know that it is well with your soul. 3 For I greatly rejoiced when some of the brethren arrived and testified to...
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3 John 1 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

1 The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth: 2 Beloved, I wish chiefly that you prosper and fare well as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you; how you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than these: to he...
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3 John 1 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Hospitality for God’s People1 The Elder to beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that all is going well with you, and that you are every bit as healthy physically as you are spiritually. 3 I was absolutely delighted, you see, when some of the family arrived and bore witness to your...
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3 John 1 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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3 John 1 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Salutation1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Gaius Commended for His Hospitality2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 I was overjoyed when some of the friends[a] arrived and testified to your fai...
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3 John 1 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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3 John 1 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

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3 John 1 - New Living Translation (NLT)

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3 John 1 - New Life Version (NLV)

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