3 UJohane 1
1 Mina omdala, Ngilobela umngane wami othandekayo uGayiyasi, engimthanda ngeqiniso.
The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2 Mngane wami othandekayo, ngiyakhuleka ukuba ube lempilo enhle lokuthi konke kukuhambele kuhle njengalokhu umphefumulo wakho uphila kuhle.
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
3 Kwangithokozisa kakhulu ukuba labanye abazalwane abafika bafakaza ngokuthembeka kwakho eqinisweni kanye lokuthi uyaqhubeka uphila ngeqiniso.
For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth.
4 Angilakuthokoza okukhulu okudlula ukuzwa ukuthi abantwabami baphila ngokweqiniso.
I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.
5 Mngane othandekayo, uthembekile kulokho okwenzela abazalwane, lanxa nje kuwe bengabemzini.
Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.
6 Sebetshele ibandla ngothando lwakho. Ngicela ubathume ngendlela edumisa uNkulunkulu.
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,
7 Baphuma ngenxa yeBizo, abaze bathola usizo kwabangakholwayo.
because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Ngakho kufanele sitshengise ukuphana ebantwini abanjalo ukuze sisebenzele ndawonye iqiniso.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 Ngalobela ebandleni kodwa uDiyothrefasi othanda ubukhulu akasoze asemukela.
I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.
10 Ngakho-ke, ngingeza ngizakukhangelisisa lokhu akwenzayo, ekhuluma kakubi ngathi. Kasuthiseki ngalokho, uyala ukwamukela abazalwane. Labafuna ukwenzanjalo uyabalela abaxotshe ebandleni.
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.
11 Bangane abathandekayo, lingalingiseli okubi, kodwa lingisani okuhle. Lowo oyenza okuhle ngokaNkulunkulu. Lowo oyenza okubi kakamboni uNkulunkulu.
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.
12 UDemetriyasi unconywa ngabantu bonke kanye laliqiniso uqobo. Lathi sikhuluma okuhle ngaye njalo liyakwazi ukuthi ubufakazi bethu buliqiniso.
Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 Ngilokunengi engingalilobela khona, kodwa angifuni ukusebenzisa usiba le-inki.
I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen;
14 Ngithemba ukuthi ngizalibona masinyane lapho esizakhuluma khona ubuso ngobuso. Ukuthula kakube kini. Abangane abalapha bayalibingelela. Bingelela abangane abangapho munye ngamunye.
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.
