3 Yohanes 1 (EVD)

1Greetings from the Elder. To my dear friend Gaius that I love in the truth:

2My dear friend, I know that your soul is doing fine. So I pray that you are doing fine in every way. And I pray that you are feeling well.

3Some brothers {in Christ} came and told me about the truth in your life. They told me that you continue to follow the way of truth. This made me very happy.

4It always gives me the greatest joy when I hear that my children are following the way of truth.

5My dear friend, it is good that you continue to help the brothers {in Christ}. You are helping brothers that you don’t even know!

6These brothers told the church (group of believers) about the love you have. Please help them to continue their trip. Help them in a way that will please God.

7These brothers went on their trip to serve Christ. They did not accept any help from people who are not believers.

8So we should help these brothers. When we help them, we share with their work for the truth. Elder This is probably John the apostle. “Elder” means an older man. It can also mean a special leader in the church (like in Titus 1:5).

9I wrote a letter to the church. But Diotrephes will not listen to what we say. He always wants to be their leader.

10When I come, I will talk about what Diotrephes is doing. He lies and says evil things about us. But that is not all he does! He refuses to help those brothers {who are working to serve Christ}. Diotrephes also stops those people who want to help the brothers. He makes those people leave the church (group of believers).

11My dear friend, don’t follow what is bad; follow what is good. The person who does what is good is from God. But the person who does evil has never known God.

12All the people say good things about Demetrius. And the truth agrees with what they say. Also, we say good about him. And you know that what we say is true.

13I have many things I want to tell you. But I don’t want to use pen and ink.

14I hope to visit you soon. Then we can be together and talk. (1:15) Peace to you. The friends (believers) here with me send their love. Please give our love to each one of the friends there.

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