3 UJohane 1
1 Mina omdala, Ngilobela umngane wami othandekayo uGayiyasi, engimthanda ngeqiniso.
The elder to the well-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.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 Kwangithokozisa kakhulu ukuba labanye abazalwane abafika bafakaza ngokuthembeka kwakho eqinisweni kanye lokuthi uyaqhubeka uphila ngeqiniso.
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 Angilakuthokoza okukhulu okudlula ukuzwa ukuthi abantwabami baphila ngokweqiniso.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Mngane othandekayo, uthembekile kulokho okwenzela abazalwane, lanxa nje kuwe bengabemzini.
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Sebetshele ibandla ngothando lwakho. Ngicela ubathume ngendlela edumisa uNkulunkulu.
Who have borne testimony of thy charity before the church: whom if thou shalt bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou wilt do well:
7 Baphuma ngenxa yeBizo, abaze bathola usizo kwabangakholwayo.
Because for his name's sake they went forth, 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-helpers to the truth.
9 Ngalobela ebandleni kodwa uDiyothrefasi othanda ubukhulu akasoze asemukela.
I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Ngakho-ke, ngingeza ngizakukhangelisisa lokhu akwenzayo, ekhuluma kakubi ngathi. Kasuthiseki ngalokho, uyala ukwamukela abazalwane. Labafuna ukwenzanjalo uyabalela abaxotshe ebandleni.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content with that, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church.
11 Bangane abathandekayo, lingalingiseli okubi, kodwa lingisani okuhle. Lowo oyenza okuhle ngokaNkulunkulu. Lowo oyenza okubi kakamboni uNkulunkulu.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 UDemetriyasi unconywa ngabantu bonke kanye laliqiniso uqobo. Lathi sikhuluma okuhle ngaye njalo liyakwazi ukuthi ubufakazi bethu buliqiniso.
Demetrius hath good report by all [men], and by the truth itself: and we [also] bear testimony; and ye know that our testimony is true.
13 Ngilokunengi engingalilobela khona, kodwa angifuni ukusebenzisa usiba le-inki.
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee:
14 Ngithemba ukuthi ngizalibona masinyane lapho esizakhuluma khona ubuso ngobuso. Ukuthula kakube kini. Abangane abalapha bayalibingelela. Bingelela abangane abangapho munye ngamunye.
But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
