13 John 1

1From the Elder— To my dear Gaius, whom I truly love.Select 3 John 1:1

2My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and that you may be in good health—as I know you are well in spirit.Select 3 John 1:2

3I was so happy when some Christians arrived and told me how faithful you are to the truth—just as you always live in the truth.Select 3 John 1:3

4Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children live in the truth.Select 3 John 1:4

Gaius Is Praised

5My dear friend, you are so faithful in the work you do for other Christians, even when they are strangers.Select 3 John 1:5

6They have spoken to the church here about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way that will please God.Select 3 John 1:6

7For they set out on their trip in the service of Christ without accepting any help from unbelievers.Select 3 John 1:7

8We Christians, then, must help these people, so that we may share in their work for the truth.Select 3 John 1:8

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9I wrote a short letter to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to be their leader, will not pay any attention to what I say.Select 3 John 1:9

10When I come, then, I will bring up everything he has done: the terrible things he says about us and the lies he tells! But that is not enough for him; he will not receive the Christians when they come, and even stops those who want to receive them and tries to drive them out of the church!Select 3 John 1:10

11My dear friend, do not imitate what is bad, but imitate what is good. Whoever does good belongs to God; whoever does what is bad has not seen God.Select 3 John 1:11

12Everyone speaks well of Demetrius; truth itself speaks well of him. And we add our testimony, and you know that what we say is true.Select 3 John 1:12

Final Greetings

13I have so much to tell you, but I do not want to do it with pen and ink.Select 3 John 1:13

14I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk personally.Select 3 John 1:14

15Peace be with you. All your friends send greetings. Greet all our friends personally.Select 3 John 1:15