1:3. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from G.o.d the Father and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father: in truth and charity.
1:4. I was exceeding glad that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
1:5. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
1:6. And this is charity: That we walk according to his commandments.
For this is the commandment that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same:
1:7. For many seducers are gone out into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a seducer and an antichrist.
1:8. Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.
1:9. Whosoever revolteth and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not G.o.d. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
1:10. If any man come to you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him: G.o.d speed you.
Nor say to him, G.o.d speed you... This admonition is in general, to forewarn the faithful of the dangers which may arise from a familiarity with those who have prevaricated and gone from the true faith, and with such as teach false doctrine. But this is not forbidding a charity for all men, by which we ought to wish and pray for the eternal salvation of every one, even of our enemies.
1:11. For he that saith unto him: G.o.d speed you, communicateth with his wicked works.
1:12. Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you and speak face to face, that your joy may be full.
1:13. The children of thy sister Elect salute thee.
THE THIRD EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE
St. John praises Gaius for his walking in truth and for his charity, complains of the bad conduct of Diotrephes and gives a good testimony to Demetrius.
3 John Chapter 1
1:1. The Ancient, to the dearly beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
1:2. Dearly beloved, concerning all things I make it my prayer that thou mayest proceed prosperously and fare well, as thy soul doth prosperously.
1:3. I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
1:4. I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in truth.
No greater grace... that is nothing that gives me greater joy and satisfaction.
1:5. Dearly beloved, thou dost faithfully whatever thou dost for the brethren: and that for strangers,
1:6. Who have given testimony to thy charity in the sight of the church.
Whom thou shalt do well to bring forward on their way in a manner worthy of G.o.d:
1:7. Because, for his name they went out, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
Taking nothing of the Gentiles... These ministers of the gospel are commended by St. John, who took nothing from the Gentiles, lest they should seem to preach in order to get money by it.
1:8. We therefore ought to receive such: that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.
1:9. I had written perhaps to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, doth not receive us.
Diotrephes who loveth... This man seemeth to be in power, but not a friend to the faithful; therefore this part of the letter might be an admonition to him from the apostle.
1:11. Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil: but that which is good. He that doth good is of G.o.d: he that doth evil hath not seen G.o.d.
1:12. To Demetrius, testimony is given by all, and by the truth itself: yea and we also give testimony. And thou knowest that our testimony is true.
1:13. I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee.
1:14. But I hope speedily to see thee: and we will speak mouth to mouth.
Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE
St. Jude, who wrote this Epistle, was one of the twelve Apostles and brother to St. James the Less. The time it was written is uncertain: only it may be inferred from verse 17 that few or none of the Apostles were then living, except St. John. He inveighs against the heresies and wicked practices of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics, etc., describing them and their leaders by strong epithets and similes, He exhorts the faithful to contend earnestly for the faith first delivered to them and to beware of heretics.
Jude Chapter 1
He exhorts them to stand to the faith first delivered to them and to beware of heretics.
1:1. Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James: to them that are beloved in G.o.d the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called.
1:2. Mercy unto you and peace: and charity be fulfilled.
1:3. Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
1:4. For certain men are secretly entered in (who were written of long ago unto this judgment), unG.o.dly men, turning the grace of our Lord G.o.d into riotousness and denying the only sovereign Ruler and our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:5. I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things, that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, did afterwards destroy them that believed not.
1:6. And the angels who kept not their princ.i.p.ality but forsook their own habitation, he hath reserved under darkness in everlasting chains, unto the judgment of the great day.
Princ.i.p.ality... That is, the state in which they were first created, their original dignity.