THE
THIRD EPISTLE
OF THE
APOSTLE JOHN.
WRITTEN FROM EPHESUS, A. D. 85.


I. THE elder to Caius the beloved, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I pray that with respect to all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and bare witness to thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth.

I have no greater joys than those which I have when I hear my children are walking in truth. Beloved, thou dost faithfully what thou performest for the brethren, and for the strangers. These have borne testimony to thy love in the presence of the congregation: whom if thou help forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, thou wilt do well. Because for his name's sake they went forth, receiving nothing from the Gentiles. We, therefore, ought to entertainsuch, that we may be joint labourers in the truth. I would have written to the congregation; but Diotrephes, who affecteth a pre-eminence among them,*[App. No. CI.] doth not receive us. For this cause, when I come, I will bring his deeds to remembrance which he practiseth; prating against us with malicious words, and not content therewith, he doth not himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them who would, and casteth them out of the congregation. Beloved, do not tou imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who doth good is of God: but he who doth evil hath not seen God. Testimony is borne to Demetrius by all men, and by the truth itself. And we also bear testimony, and ye know that our testimony is ture. I have many things to write: but I do not incline to write them to thee with pen and ink. For I hope straightway to see thee, and so we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. The friends here salute thee. Salute the friends by name.


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