Bible In Poetry: 3 John 1 Poem by Dr John Celes

The elder writes to Gaius, my friend,
Whom I love dearly in the truth:

I pray you enjoy good a health,
And that, all things go well with you,
And your soul gets along well too.

My heart was filled with joy to hear,
Your faithfulness in truth so dear;
And how you continue to walk
In truth and of Lord Jesus, talk.
There is no greater joy than see,
My children walk in truth freely.

You’re faithful in helping brethren,
Although to you strangers, they’ve been;
They’ve told the church about your love,
You send them well to God above;
For sake of Name, they went about,
Help from pagans, receiving not;
We must extend help to such men,
Who work together for heaven.

I informed Church but Diotrephes,
Who wants to have nothing with us;
He gossips of us with malice,
And will not welcome his brothers;
He stops those who want to do so,
And sends them off, out of church, Oh!

Don’t imitate what is evil;
In doing good, always revel;
The good-doer is from the Lord;
The evil-doer hasn’t seen God.
Well-spoken of is Demetrius-
This truth we know unto Jesus.

I have a lot to write to you;
With pen and ink, I don’t want to;
I hope to see you very soon,
For, talking face to face is boon.
Friends here send you greetings of peace;
To greet friends there by name, I wish.