(KJV) 3 John 1¹

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⥃A Greeting from the Elder ^{[ 2 John 1:1–3 ]}

[1] The elder² unto the wellbeloved³ Gaius, whom⁴ I love in the truth⁵.⁶ [2] Beloved, I wish⁷ above⁸ all things that⁹ thou mayest prosper and be in health, even¹⁰ as thy soul prospereth. [3] For I¹¹ rejoiced greatly, when¹² the brethren came and testified of the truth¹³ that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. [4] I have¹⁴ no greater joy than to hear that¹⁵ my children walk¹⁶ in truth.

⥃Gaius Commended for Hospitality

[5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;¹⁷ [6] Which have borne witness of thy charity¹⁸ before the church: whom¹⁹ if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort²⁰, thou shalt do well²¹: [7] Because that²² for his name’s sake they went forth, taking²³ nothing of the Gentiles. [8] We therefore ought to receive²⁴ such, that we might be fellowhelpers²⁵ to the truth.

⥃Diotrephes and Demetrius

[9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth²⁶ to have the preeminence among them, receiveth²⁷ us not. [10] Wherefore, if I come, I will²⁸ remember his deeds which he doeth, prating²⁹ against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth³⁰ [them] out of the church. [11] Beloved³¹, follow³² not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good³³ is of God: but he that doeth evil³⁴ hath not seen God. [12] Demetrius hath good³⁵ report of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, and we³⁶ [also] bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

⥃Conclusion ^{[ 2 John 1:12–13 ]}

[13] I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:³⁷ [14] But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face³⁸. Peace³⁹ [be] to thee. [Our⁴⁰] friends⁴¹ salute thee. Greet⁴² the friends by name.