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3 John
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The apostle commends Gaius for his piety
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The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
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Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and
be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
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For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified
of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk
in truth.
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For his hospitality to the brethren
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Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the
brethren, and to strangers;
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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:
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and for his support of true preachers
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Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking
nothing of the Gentiles.
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We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be
fellowhelpers to the truth.
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He complains of the malicious words and deeds of ambitious Diotrephes
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I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
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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.
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and warns against following and evil example
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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.
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He gives special testimony to the good character of Demetrius
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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.
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I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen
write unto thee:
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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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