3 John 1
1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
Mimi mzee nakuandikia wewe Gayo, rafiki yangu, ninayekupenda kweli.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
Mpenzi wangu, nakutakia mafanikio mema ya kila aina; nakutakia afya njema ya mwili kama ulivyo nayo rohoni.
3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
Nimefurahi sana ndugu kadhaa walipofika hapa, wakaiambia juu ya uaminifu wako kuhusu ukweli; naam, wewe unaishi daima katika ukweli.
4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.
Hakuna kitu kinachonifurahisha zaidi kuliko kusikia kwamba watoto wangu wanaishi katika ukweli.
5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
Mpenzi wangu, wewe ni mwaminifu kila mara unapowahudumia ndugu, hata kama ni wageni.
6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,
Ndugu hao wamelieleza kanisa hapa habari za upendo wako. Tafadhali uwasaidie waendelee na safari yao kwa namna itakayompendeza Mungu,
7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
Maana wanaanza safari yao katika utumishi wa Kristo bila kupokea msaada wowote kutoka kwa watu wasioamini.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Basi, sisi tunapaswa kuwasaidia watu hawa, ili nasi tupate kushiriki katika kazi yao kwa ajili ya ukweli.
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
Niliandika barua fupi kwa hilo kanisa; lakini Diotrefe, ambaye hupenda kuwa kiongozi wao, hataki kabisa kunisikiliza.
10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, he does not receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
Basi, nitakapokuja nitayafichua mambo yote anayofanya, maneno mabaya anayotutolea na uongo anaosema juu yetu. Isitoshe, yeye hukataa kuwakaribisha hao ndugu walio safarini, na hata huwazuia watu wengine wanaotaka kuwakaribisha, na hujaribu kuwafukuzia nje ya kanisa.
11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil has not seen God.
Mpenzi wangu, usifuate mfano mbaya, bali mfano mwema. Kila atendaye mema ni wa Mungu; lakini anayetenda mabaya hajapata kumwona Mungu.
12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
Kila mtu anamsifu Demetrio; naam, ukweli wenyewe unamsifu. Nasi pia tunatoa ushahidi wetu juu yake, nawe wajua kwamba tunachosema ni kweli.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
Ninayo bado mengi ya kukwambia, lakini sipendi kuyaandika kwa kalamu na wino.
14 but I hope to see you soon. Then we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Natumaini kukuona karibuni na hapo tutazungumza ana kwa ana. Nakutakia amani. Rafiki zako wanakusalimu. Wasalimu rafiki zetu wote kila mmoja binafsi.
