A Greeting from the Elder (3 John 1:1–4)
1 UDB You all know me as the chief elder. I am writing this letter to you believers, the congregation that I love so much. God has chosen you, and I love you, because what we know about Christ is true! Not only do I myself love you, but all those who know and accept the true message that Jesus taught also love you! BSB BSB: The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—
2 UDB This is because all of us believe God's true message. It is in our inner beings and we will continue to believe it forever! BSB BSB: because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3 UDB God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ show us their kindness, are merciful to us, give us peace, and sincerely love us. BSB BSB: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
Walking in the Truth (John 8:30–47)
4 UDB I am very happy because I have learned that some of you are living according to the truth that God has taught us. This is just what our Father commanded us to do. BSB BSB: I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
5 UDB And now, dear congregation, I beg you to obey what he has commanded us to do. This is why I am writing to you. What he commanded—that we should love each other—is nothing new; instead, it was when we first believed in Christ that we learned that we should love each other. BSB BSB: And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
6 UDB This is what it means to love God and each other—we should obey what God commands us to do. What he commands us to do is love him and each other. BSB BSB: And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
Beware of Deceivers 7 UDB Many people who deceive others have left your congregation and have now gone out among other people in your area. They are the ones who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ became human. They are the ones who deceive others and oppose Christ himself. BSB BSB: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8 UDB So be careful that you do not let those teachers deceive you! If you let them deceive you, you will lose the reward for which we, together with you, have been working, and you will not receive the complete reward of being eternally united to God! BSB BSB: Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
9 UDB Those who change what Christ taught and do not continue to believe what he taught are not joined with God. But those who continue to believe what Christ taught are joined with both God our Father and his Son. BSB BSB: Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10 UDB So when anyone comes to you who teaches something different from what Christ taught, do not welcome him into your homes! Do not encourage him by greeting him or wishing him well in any way! BSB BSB: If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
11 UDB I say that because if you treat people like that as you would treat a fellow believer, you are helping them do their evil deeds. BSB BSB: Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
Conclusion (3 John 1:13–14)
12 UDB Even though I have much more that I want to tell you, I have decided not to say it in a letter. Instead, I expect to be with you soon and talk directly with you. Then we can be completely joyful together. BSB BSB: I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 UDB Your fellow believers in the congregation here, whom God has also chosen, all greet you. BSB BSB: The children of your elect sister send you greetings.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.