3 John 1 - The Message (MSG)

1-4 The Pastor, to my good friend Gaius: How truly I love you! We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth. Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

Model the Good

5-8 Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They’ve made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It’s good work you’re doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth.

9-10 Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel. If I come, you can be sure I’ll hold him to account for spreading vicious rumors about us.

As if that weren’t bad enough, he not only refuses hospitality to traveling Christians but tries to stop others from welcoming them. Worse yet, instead of inviting them in he throws them out.

11 Friend, don’t go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God’s work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn’t know the first thing about God.

12 Everyone has a good word for Demetrius—the Truth itself stands up for Demetrius! We concur, and you know we don’t hand out endorsements lightly.

13-14 I have a lot more things to tell you, but I’d rather not use pen and ink. I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk.

Peace to you. The friends here say hello. Greet our friends there by name.

You Might Also Like:

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

3 John 1 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

3 John 1 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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 For I was overjoyed when some brothers and sisters arrived and testified to you...
Read More

3 John 1 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He is glad of Gaius, that he walks in the truth. He exhorts them to be loving to the poor Christians in their persecution, and speaks of the unkind dealing of Diotrephes, and the good report of Demetrius. 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish in all things tha...
Read More

3 John 1 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Greetings1 This letter is from John, the elder.[a]I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 Some of the traveling teachers[b] recently returned and made me very happy ...
Read More

3 John 1 - New Life Version (NLV)

1 The church leader writes to the much-loved Gaius. I love you because of the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you are doing well in every way. I pray that your body is strong and well even as your soul is. 3 I was very happy when some Christians came and told me about how you are following the t...
Read More

3 John 1 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Greeting to Gaius1 The Elder,To the beloved Gaius, (A)whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I (B)rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 ...
Read More