I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to (A)be first among them, does not accept [a]what we say. 10 For this reason, (B)if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with malicious words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not (C)receive the (D)brothers either, and he forbids those who want to do so and (E)puts them out of the church.

11 Beloved, (F)do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. (G)The one who does what is good is of God; (H)the one who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius (I)has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we testify too, and (J)you know that our testimony is true.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3 John 1:9 Lit us

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come,(A) 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.(B) He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.(C)

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.(D) Anyone who does what is good is from God.(E) Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.(F) 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone(G)—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.(H)

Read full chapter