3 John 1 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

From the elder, to my dear friend Gaius — I genuinely love you, and that love is grounded in the truth.

Dear friend, I'm praying that things go well for you in every way — that you're as healthy physically as you are thriving spiritually.

It made me so happy when some of the brothers and sisters came and told me how you're living out the truth — that you're actually walking in it day by day.

Nothing makes me happier than hearing that my children are living out the truth.

Dear friend, you're being so faithful in what you do for the brothers and sisters — even when they're complete strangers to you.

They've told the gathered community here about your love. And you'd be doing a beautiful thing by helping them on their way in a manner that honors God.

Because they went out for the sake of the Name, and they didn't accept any support from non-believers.

So we should be the ones supporting people like this, so that we become partners with them in the truth.

I wrote something to the gathered community, but Diotrephes — who loves being in charge — won't accept our authority.

So when I come, I'll bring up what he's been doing — spreading malicious nonsense about us. And that's not enough for him — he also refuses to welcome the brothers and sisters himself, stops those who want to, and throws them out of the gathered community.

Dear friend, don't imitate what is harmful — imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God. Whoever does what is harmful has never actually seen God.

Demetrius has a great reputation with everyone, and the truth itself speaks for him. We vouch for him too — and you know that what we say is reliable.

I have a lot more to tell you, but I don't want to write it all with pen and ink.

I hope to see you soon, and then we'll talk face to face.

Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Say hello to each of our friends there by name.