3 John 1
1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
Mzee: Kwa Gayo rafiki yangu, nimpendaye katika kweli.
2 Beloved, in all things I pray that thou mayst prosper and be in health, as thy soul prospereth.
Mpendwa, naomba ufanikiwe katika mambo yote na kuwa na afya njema kama vile roho yako ifanikiwavyo.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bore witness to thy truth, as thou walkest in truth.
Ilinifurahisha sana baadhi ya ndugu walipokuja na kutueleza juu ya uaminifu wako katika kweli na jinsi unavyoendelea kuenenda katika hiyo kweli.
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children walk in the truth.
Sina furaha kubwa kuliko hii, kusikia kwamba watoto wangu wanaenenda katika kweli.
5 Beloved, thou doest a faithful thing whatever thou doest to the brethren, and that to strangers,
Rafiki mpendwa, wewe ni mwaminifu kwa yale unayowatendea ndugu, ingawa wao ni wageni kwako.
6 who bore witness of thy love before the church; whom if thou send forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, thou wilt do well.
Wameshuhudia kuhusu upendo wako mbele ya kanisa. Utafanya vyema ukiwasafirisha kama inavyostahili kwa Mungu.
7 For in behalf of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the gentiles.
Ilikuwa ni kwa ajili ya hilo Jina waliondoka, bila kukubali kupokea msaada wowote kutoka kwa watu wasioamini.
8 We therefore ought to sustain such persons, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.
Kwa hiyo imetupasa sisi kuonyesha ukarimu kwa watu kama hao ili tuweze kutenda kazi pamoja kwa ajili ya kweli.
9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.
Nililiandikia kanisa, lakini Deotrefe, yeye apendaye kujifanya wa kwanza, hakubali mamlaka yetu.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words; and not content therewith, he himself doth not receive the brethren, and those that would he forbiddeth, and casteth them out of the church.
Hivyo kama nikija, nitakumbuka matendo yake atendayo, akitusingizia kwa maneno ya hila. Wala hatosheki na hayo anayotusingizia, bali pia hukataa kuwakaribisha ndugu, na hata huwazuia wale walio tayari kufanya hivyo na kuwafukuza watoke kanisani.
11 Beloved, do not imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God; he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Rafiki mpendwa, usiige lile lililo baya bali lile lililo jema. Yeyote atendaye mema atoka kwa Mungu, bali atendaye mabaya hajamwona Mungu.
12 To Demetrius testimony hath been borne by all, and by the truth itself; yea, we also bear witness, and ye know that our witness is true.
Kila mtu ameshuhudia mema kuhusu Demetrio, vivyo hivyo hata na hiyo kweli yenyewe. Sisi pia twashuhudia mema juu yake, nanyi mwajua kwamba ushuhuda wetu ni kweli.
13 I had many things to write to thee, but I do not wish to write to thee with ink and pen;
Ninayo mambo mengi ya kukuandikia, lakini sipendi kuandika kwa kalamu na wino.
14 but I hope to see thee immediately, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
Badala yake, nataraji kukuona upesi, nasi tutaongea pamoja ana kwa ana. Amani iwe kwako. Rafiki zetu walioko hapa wanakusalimu. Wasalimu hao rafiki zetu walioko huko, kila mmoja kwa jina lake.
