Ἰωάννου Γʹ

3 John — Chapter 1

Read 3 John Chapter 1 in the original Greek alongside the King James Version (KJV) — 14 verses. Koine Greek text with full English translation.

Ὁ πρεσβύτερος Γαΐῳ τῷ ἀγαπητῷ, ὃν ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ.

KJVThe elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Ἀγαπητέ, περὶ πάντων εὔχομαί σε εὐοδοῦσθαι καὶ ὑγιαίνειν, καθὼς εὐοδοῦταί σου ἡ ψυχή.

KJVBeloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Ἐχάρην γὰρ λίαν, ἐρχομένων ἀδελφῶν καὶ μαρτυρούντων σου τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, καθὼς σὺ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατεῖς.

KJVFor I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.

Μειζοτέραν τούτων οὐκ ἔχω χαράν, ἵνα ἀκούω τὰ ἐμὰ τέκνα ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατοῦντα.

KJVI have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Ἀγαπητέ, πιστὸν ποιεῖς ὃ ἐὰν ἐργάσῃ εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ εἰς τοὺς ξένους,

KJVBeloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.

οἳ ἐμαρτύρησάν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας· οὓς καλῶς ποιήσεις προπέμψας ἀξίως τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVWhich 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:

They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.

Ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ὀνόματος ἐξῆλθον μηδὲν λαμβάνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνῶν.

KJVBecause that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.

Ἡμεῖς οὖν ὀφείλομεν ἀπολαμβάνειν τοὺς τοιούτους, ἵνα συνεργοὶ γινώμεθα τῇ ἀληθείᾳ.

KJVWe therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

Ἔγραψα τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ· ἀλλ' ὁ φιλοπρωτεύων αὐτῶν Διοτρεφὴς οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται ἡμᾶς.

KJVI wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.

Διὰ τοῦτο, ἐὰν ἔλθω, ὑπομνήσω αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ποιεῖ, λόγοις πονηροῖς φλυαρῶν ἡμᾶς· καὶ μὴ ἀρκούμενος ἐπὶ τούτοις, οὔτε αὐτὸς ἐπιδέχεται τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τοὺς βουλομένους κωλύει, καὶ ἐκ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐκβάλλει.

KJVWherefore, 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.

So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

Ἀγαπητέ, μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακόν, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν. Ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστίν· ὁ κακοποιῶν οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν Θεόν.

KJVBeloved, 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.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

Δημητρίῳ μεμαρτύρηται ὑπὸ πάντων, καὶ ὑπ' αὐτῆς τῆς ἀληθείας· καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ μαρτυροῦμεν, καὶ οἴδατε ὅτι ἡ μαρτυρία ἡμῶν ἀληθής ἐστιν.

KJVDemetrius 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.

Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone — and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

Πολλὰ εἶχον γράφειν, ἀλλ' οὐ θέλω διὰ μέλανος καὶ καλάμου σοι γράψαι·

KJVI had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:

I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.

ἐλπίζω δὲ εὐθέως ἰδεῖν σε, καὶ στόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλήσομεν. Εἰρήνη σοι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ φίλοι. Ἀσπάζου τοὺς φίλους κατ' ὄνομα.

KJVBut 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.

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.