A New Translation of the Third Letter of

John

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

Thou vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of thou, thee, thy, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

3 John 1

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

2 Beloved, I pray that in all things you may prosper and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, just as you walk in truth.

4 I have no greater joy than this, that I hear of my children walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, you are doing a faithful thing, when you work for the brethren and those brethren being strangers;

6 who bore witness to your love in the sight of the church: whom you will do well to send forward on their journey worthily of God:

7 because, for the sake of the Name, they went forth, taking nothing from the people of the nations.

8 We therefore ought to welcome such, so that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.

9 I wrote something to the church: but Diotrephes, who likes to be first among them, won’t let us in.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will remember his works which he does, berating us with evil words: and not satisfied with that, neither does he himself let the brethren in, and those who would, he prevents, and throws out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate the evil, but the good. The one doing good is of God: the one doing evil has not seen God.

12 To Demetrius witness has been borne by all, and by the truth itself, and we also bear witness: and you know that our witness is true.

13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen:

14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.