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THE THIRD EPISTLE OF
JOHN.
HE elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and
be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified
of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in
truth.
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as
he walked (I. Jno., 2:6)."
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the
brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church:
whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou
shalt do well:
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be
hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt., 5:14-16)."
7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking
nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be
fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he
doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content
therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and
forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is
good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath
not seen God.
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among
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whom ye shine as lights in the world (Phil., 2:14, 15)."
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth
itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our
record is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen
write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak
face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee.
Greet the friends by name.
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