A literal translation of the original Greek words that John used indicates that he did not want to go on writing with “black [ink] and reed. ” ​ — 3 John 13, The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures.
Algses kreekakeelses tekstis kasutas Johannes sõnu, mille otsesteks tõlkevasteteks on „must ” ja„ pilliroog ”.