3 UJohane 1
1 Mina omdala, Ngilobela umngane wami othandekayo uGayiyasi, engimthanda ngeqiniso.
The elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Mngane wami othandekayo, ngiyakhuleka ukuba ube lempilo enhle lokuthi konke kukuhambele kuhle njengalokhu umphefumulo wakho uphila kuhle.
Dear one, I pray for you to prosper in every way and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.
3 Kwangithokozisa kakhulu ukuba labanye abazalwane abafika bafakaza ngokuthembeka kwakho eqinisweni kanye lokuthi uyaqhubeka uphila ngeqiniso.
Because it gave me great joy when some brothers came and testified to the truth about you, how you are walking in Truth.
4 Angilakuthokoza okukhulu okudlula ukuzwa ukuthi abantwabami baphila ngokweqiniso.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in Truth.
5 Mngane othandekayo, uthembekile kulokho okwenzela abazalwane, lanxa nje kuwe bengabemzini.
Dear one, you are faithful in whatever you do for the brothers, and for the strangers
6 Sebetshele ibandla ngothando lwakho. Ngicela ubathume ngendlela edumisa uNkulunkulu.
who testified to your love before the church—you will do well by sending them on their way in a manner worthy of God,
7 Baphuma ngenxa yeBizo, abaze bathola usizo kwabangakholwayo.
because it was for the sake of the Name that they went out, accepting nothing from pagans.
8 Ngakho kufanele sitshengise ukuphana ebantwini abanjalo ukuze sisebenzele ndawonye iqiniso.
We therefore ought to welcome such, so that we may work together for the Truth.
9 Ngalobela ebandleni kodwa uDiyothrefasi othanda ubukhulu akasoze asemukela.
I wrote to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who wants to dominate the others, does not acknowledge us.
10 Ngakho-ke, ngingeza ngizakukhangelisisa lokhu akwenzayo, ekhuluma kakubi ngathi. Kasuthiseki ngalokho, uyala ukwamukela abazalwane. Labafuna ukwenzanjalo uyabalela abaxotshe ebandleni.
So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, slandering us with malignant words. And not satisfied with that, not only does he himself not receive the brothers, but he forbids those who want to do so, kicking them out of the congregation.
11 Bangane abathandekayo, lingalingiseli okubi, kodwa lingisani okuhle. Lowo oyenza okuhle ngokaNkulunkulu. Lowo oyenza okubi kakamboni uNkulunkulu.
Dear one, do not imitate what is bad, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
12 UDemetriyasi unconywa ngabantu bonke kanye laliqiniso uqobo. Lathi sikhuluma okuhle ngaye njalo liyakwazi ukuthi ubufakazi bethu buliqiniso.
Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—even by the truth itself. Yes, we also speak well of him, and we know that our testimony is true.
13 Ngilokunengi engingalilobela khona, kodwa angifuni ukusebenzisa usiba le-inki.
I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;
14 Ngithemba ukuthi ngizalibona masinyane lapho esizakhuluma khona ubuso ngobuso. Ukuthula kakube kini. Abangane abalapha bayalibingelela. Bingelela abangane abangapho munye ngamunye.
rather I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.
