3 Yohan (John)

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

The bold words in the OET New Testament are words that the original writers or copyists marked to indicate that they considered them to refer to God. (Sadly, this information is not displayed in most Bible translations, especially since it seems to confirm that the earliest writers/copyists considered both Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be God.)

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

It is our prayer that the Open English Translation of the Bible will give you a clear understanding of the accounts and messages written by the God-inspired Biblical writers.

Introduction

The author

This the third letter we have that was written by Yohan, one of the twelve apprentices who spent the most time with Yeshua.

This letter

This letter was sent to one of Yohan’s friends named Gaius. Yohan praises Gaius for the way he’d looked after other believers and for his living out God’s truth. Yohan also warns Gaius about a person named Diotrephes who was opposing the believers.

Main components of Yohan’s letter

Greetings 1-4

Praising Gaius 5-8

Scolding Diotrephes 9-10

Boasting about Demetrius 11-12

The closing 13-15

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

Salutation

Greetings

Trouble in the church

1 [ref]This letter is from Yohan the elder to my dear friend Gaius who I love because we both follow the truth.

Gaius Commended for His Hospitality

2 My dear friend, I trust that you are healthy and doing well in everything just as you are also doing well spiritually. 3 I was very happy when some of our spiritual brothers came and told us about your faithfulness to the truth and how you are living it out. 4 Nothing makes me more happy than hearing that other believers that I’ve helped are living out the truth.

1  The elder, to_Gaios the beloved, whom I am_loving in truth.

2 Beloved, concerning all things I_am_hoping you to_be_being_prospered and to_be_being_healthy, as is_being_prospered of_you the soul.

3 For/Because I_was_elated exceedingly coming the_brothers and testifying of_you in_the truth, as you in the_truth are_walking.

4 Greater than these things not I_am_having joy, that I_may_be_hearing the my children in the truth walking.

1:5 Praising Gaius

Caring for the Lord’s Workers

Gaius Is Praised

5 My dear friend, you are faithful in what you do for other believers. Even strangers 6 have told the assembly about your caring for them before sending them on. Your actions will be praised by God 7 because they went out to serve God, not getting any help from the unbelievers. 8 We should be supporting believers like them so that we may also become their workmates in sharing the truth.

5 Beloved, faithful you_are_doing whatever, if you_may_do for the brothers and this is for_strangers, 6 who testified of_you to_the love before the_assembly, whom well you_will_be_doing, having_sent_forward worthily of_ the _god.

7 For/Because for the name they_came_out, nothing receiving from the pagans.

8 Therefore we ought to_be_supporting the such men, in_order_that fellow-workers we_may_be_becoming with_the truth.

1:9 Diotrephes and Demetrius

9 I wrote something to the assembly, but Diotrephes won’t listen to us—he always wants the limelight for himself. 10 Because of that, if I do end up coming, I will be reminding him about what he’s been doing—rambling on against us with evil talks, and then, not being happy with that, he doesn’t accept other believers and expels them from the assembly then forbids others from accepting them either.

11 My dear friend, don’t copy the evil things that others do, just the good things. Anyone who does what is good belongs to God—anyone who does evil things has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has been talked about by everyone and even the truth itself speaks. We have also spoken about him, and you know that what we say is true.

9 I_wrote something to_the assembly, but the one loving_to_be_first of_them, Diotrefaʸs, not is_accepting us.

10 Because_of this, if I_may_come, I_will_be_reminding of_him the works, which he_is_doing, with_messages evil rambling_against us, and not being_sufficed with these things, nor himself is_accepting the brothers, but the ones wishing he_is_forbidding, and from the assembly is_throwing_out them.

11 Beloved, not be_imitating the evil, but the good.

The one doing_good of the god is, the one doing_evil not has_seen the god.

12 To_Daʸmaʸtrios has_been_attested by all, and by itself the truth, also and we are_testifying, and you_have_known that the testimony of_us true is.

1:13 Closing

Final Greetings

Conclusion

13 I had many things I wanted to write about, but won’t do it by means of ink and pen, 14 but instead I hope to see you soon and then we can speak face to face.

15 Wishing all peace and happiness for you. Your friends here also greet you. Please greet our friends there by name.

13 Many things I_was_having to_write to_you, but not I_am_wanting through ink and pen to_you to_be_writing, 14 but I_am_hoping immediately you to_see, and mouth to mouth we_will_be_speaking.

15 Peace be to_you.

Are_greeting you the friends.

Be_greeting the friends by name.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

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