From Gary... The Composite Bible

Today, with so many translations available to the English reader, you really have to ask yourself: 

" What Bible translation should I use"

My answer to this question is to find a literal translation and then progressively compare it to more literal translations.  This forces you to think of not only the general meaning of the text, but the differences between the words as well.  Listed below is the book of 3rd John; as you read, I think you will see the benefit of what I am saying.

Note: The completed work can be found on compositebible.com.  There are a variety of PDF Bible combinations to choose from or you can read online if you prefer or download one or more of the four Microsoft Access Database programs (a free runtime edition of MS Access is available).

Enjoy your study!!!

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

3 John

3 John 1 1

The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

The Elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth!

3 John 1 2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

Beloved, I desire that in all things thou shouldest prosper and be in health, even as thy

soul prospers.

beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even

as thy soul doth prosper,

3 John 1 3

For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in

truth.

For I rejoiced exceedingly when [the] brethren came and bore testimony to thy [holding

fast the] truth, even as *thou* walkest in truth.

for I rejoiced exceedingly, brethren coming and testifying of the truth in thee,

even as thou in truth dost walk;

3 John 1 4

I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

I have no greater joy than these things that I hear of my children walking in the truth.

greater than these things I have no joy, that I may hear of my children in truth

walking.

3 John 1 5

Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and

strangers.

Beloved, thou doest faithfully [in] whatever thou mayest have wrought towards the

brethren and that strangers,

Beloved, faithfully dost thou do whatever thou mayest work to the brethren and to

the strangers,

3 John 1 6

They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward

on their journey in a manner worthy of God,

(who have witnessed of thy love before [the] assembly,) in setting forward whom on their

journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well;

who did testify of thy love before an assembly, whom thou wilt do well, having

sent forward worthily of God,

3 John 1 7

because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

for for the name have they gone forth, taking nothing of those of the nations.

because for [His] name they went forth, nothing receiving from the nations;

3 John 1 8

We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

*We* therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.

we, then, ought to receive such, that fellow-workers we may become to the truth.

3 John 1 9

I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn`t accept what

we say.

I wrote something to the assembly; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the first place

among them, receives us not.

I did write to the assembly, but he who is loving the first place among them --

Diotrephes -- doth not receive us;

3 John 1 10

Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with

wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those

who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

For this reason, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, babbling

against us with wicked words; and not content with these, neither does he himself

receive the brethren; and those who would he prevents, and casts [them] out of the

because of this, if I may come, I will cause him to remember his works that he

doth, with evil words prating against us; and not content with these, neither doth

he himself receive the brethren, and those intending he doth forbid, and out of

the assembly he doth cast.

3 John 1 11

Beloved, don`t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He

who does evil hasn`t seen God.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good is of God. He that

does evil has not seen God.

Beloved, be not thou following that which is evil, but that which is good; he who

is doing good, of God he is, and he who is doing evil hath not seen God;

3 John 1 12

Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that

our testimony is true.

Demetrius has witness borne to him by all, and by the truth itself; and *we* also bear

witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true.

to Demetrius testimony hath been given by all, and by the truth itself, and we also

-- we do testify, and ye have known that our testimony is true.

3 John 1 13

I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;

I had many things to write to thee, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee;

Many things I had to write, but I do not wish through ink and pen to write to thee,

3 John 1 14

but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you.

Greet the friends by name.

but I hope soon to see thee, and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace [be] to thee. The

friends greet thee. Greet the friends by name.

and I hope straightway to see thee, and mouth to mouth we shall speak. Peace to

thee! salute thee do the friends; be saluting the friends by name.