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, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
Mpendwa, naomba ufanikiwe katika mambo yote na kuwa na afya njema kama vile roho yako ifanikiwavyo.
3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk 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 about my children walking in truth.
Sina furaha kubwa kuliko hii, kusikia kwamba watoto wangu wanaenenda katika kweli.
5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
Rafiki mpendwa, wewe ni mwaminifu kwa yale unayowatendea ndugu, ingawa wao ni wageni kwako.
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,
Wameshuhudia kuhusu upendo wako mbele ya kanisa. Utafanya vyema ukiwasafirisha kama inavyostahili kwa Mungu.
7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
Ilikuwa ni kwa ajili ya hilo Jina waliondoka, bila kukubali kupokea msaada wowote kutoka kwa watu wasioamini.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, 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 to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
Nililiandikia kanisa, lakini Deotrefe, yeye apendaye kujifanya wa kwanza, hakubali mamlaka yetu.
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 doesn’t receive the brothers himself, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.
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, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.
Rafiki mpendwa, usiige lile lililo baya bali lile lililo jema. Yeyote atendaye mema atoka kwa Mungu, bali atendaye mabaya hajamwona 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 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 you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
Ninayo mambo mengi ya kukuandikia, lakini sipendi kuandika 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.
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.
