Translation:3 John

For other English-language translations of this work, see 3 John.

Chapter 1

¹ The elder,
to the beloved^[1] Gaius, who I love in truth.

² Beloved, above all I pray that you fare well, and are healthy, even as your soul fares well.^{[2] 3} I was very happy when our siblings^[3] arrived and witnessed ^[4] of the truth, how you walk in truth. ⁴ I have no greater happiness than to hear that my son^[5] walks ^[6] in truth.

⁵ Beloved, you do all your labors for the brothers faithfully, and for the stranger also. ⁶ Who witnesses^[7] your love before the assembly, you do well in sending them on their way, as a servant of God ought. ⁷ They go out on behalf of the name, taking nothing from the non-believers. ⁸ We therefore are obliged to welcome such as this, that we can work together for the truth.

⁹ I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who strives for first place, didn't accept my authority. ¹⁰ Because of this if I come I shall remember his actions of talking against us with evil words, and if this was not enough, he does not take the brothers into his house, and those who are ready to take them in^[8] he hinders and throws out of the assembly.

¹¹ Beloved, don't imitate bad, but good. He who does good is from God, he who does bad cannot see God. ¹² Demetrius has witness of everyone, and from the truth itself ^[9]. I also give witness, and you know my witness is true.

¹³ Much have I to write, but I won't write to you with ink and reed,^{[10] 14} for I^[11] hope to see you soon, and talk from mouth to mouth.

¹⁵ Peace to you, the loved ones greet you, greet the loved ones^[12] by name.

Footnotes

1. 1:1 Laleena translation: my friend, most other translations use closer to the original translation.
2. 1:2 The word used here for soul 'ψυχή' is used in other places in the epistles of John as 'life', see 1 John 3:16 (among others). Thus I'm not sure what word is better here.
3. 1:3 The word siblings seems a bit out of place, but I think it might be the most accurate. The Greek word here is adelphon, neuter for adelphos (brother) and adelphe (sister).
4. 1:3, original translation had _your acquisition_, however not found in any other translation
5. 1:3 original translation child
6. 1:4 took out about here and above, as isn't in other translations
7. 1:5 originally translated in past tense
8. 1:10 not sure about his place, quoted straight from the BBE--so needs some work. (talking against ... them in)
9. 1:12 or himself?
10. 1:13 Most people translate Greek καλάμος as "pen". Although it means 'reed', it can be used for things made from a reed also, for example things like arrows, fishing rods, flutes, and of course--pens. Any ideas? Also, often it's switched around to use the English idiom, "pen and ink"--should I translate idioms into English idioms?
11. 1:14 Greek doesn't have those two words, instead it uses "ἀλλ'" (but), but in English it sounds awful having too many buts in a row.
12. 1:15 Tyndale translates this as "lovers", is that a better translation then "loved ones"