3 John 1:11 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹¹ Dear [friend], do not imitate what is evil, but [only] what is good. The person who does what is good is [a child] of God; the one who does evil has not seen God [spiritually].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹¹ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹¹ Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God [has enjoyed no vision of Him and does not know Him at all].

American Standard Version (1901)

¹¹ Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Common English Bible

¹¹ Dear friend, don’t imitate what is bad but what is good. Whoever practices what is good belongs to God. Whoever practices what is bad has not seen God.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹¹ Most beloved, do not be willing to imitate what is evil; instead imitate what is good. Whoever does good is of God. Whoever does evil has not seen God.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹¹ Dearly beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good, is of God: he that doth evil, hath not seen God.

3 John 1:11 Cross References

John 10:27

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 12:26

If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 3:20

For every person who practices evil things hates the light [of truth] and does not come to it, for fear of having his deeds exposed [as sinful].

1 Corinthians 11:1

You people should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:16

So, I urge you to imitate my lifestyle.

Ephesians 5:1

So, as dearly loved children, you people should [try to] be like God.

Philippians 3:17

Brothers, you people should join together in imitating me, and take note of those who are following my example.

1 Thessalonians 1:6

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. [And even though] you suffered much affliction, you welcomed the message with joy [given to you] by the Holy Spirit,

1 Thessalonians 2:14

For you brothers became imitators of the churches of God in Judea, which are in [fellowship with] Christ, for you people also suffered the same things from your own countrymen that they did from the Jews,

2 Timothy 3:10

But you have followed [Note: These words mean “to observe closely, have a keen interest in”] my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,

Hebrews 6:12

We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God’s] promises because of their faith and patience.

1 Peter 3:11

He should turn away from wrong living and do what is good. He should desire peace and do whatever it takes to maintain it.

1 Peter 3:13

And who do you think would [try to] hurt you if you become enthusiastic for doing what is right?

1 John 2:29

If you know that Christ is [truly] righteous [verse 1], then you should also know that everyone who does what is right has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God [See 5:18].

1 John 3:10

Here is how the children of God and the children of the devil can be recognized: All those who do not continue to do what is right do not belong to God. Also, the person who does not continue to love his brother [or sister does not belong to God].

1 John 4:1

Loved ones, do not believe [the message of] every spirit [i.e., every person claiming to be a teacher], but test the spirits [i.e., require proof that they and their message are genuine] to see whether they represent God [or not], because many false prophets have begun circulating throughout the world.