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3 John 1 (AMP)

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¹ THE ELDERLY elder to the beloved (esteemed) Gaius, whom I truly love. ² Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and may keep well, even as your soul keeps well and prospers. ³ In fact, I greatly rejoiced when the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth . ⁴ I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are living their lives in the Truth. ⁵ Beloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the brethren, and strangers. ⁶ They have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey in a way worthy of God's . ⁷ For these have gone out for the Name's sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites). ⁸ So we ourselves ought to support such people , in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers. ⁹ I have written briefly to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to take the lead among them and put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority and refuses to accept my suggestions or to listen to me. ¹⁰ So when I arrive, I will call attention to what he is doing, his boiling over and casting malicious reflections upon us with insinuating language. And not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive and welcome the brethren himself, and also interferes with and forbids those who would welcome them, and tries to expel (excommunicate) them from the church. ¹¹ Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God . ¹² Demetrius has warm commendation from everyone--and from the Truth itself; we add our testimony also, and you know that our testimony is true. ¹³ I had much to write, but I prefer not to put it down with pen (a reed) and ink; ¹⁴ I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face. {\cf2 (1:15)} Peace be to you! (Good-bye!) The friends here send you greetings. Remember me to the friends there by name.