3 Yohana 1
1 Mzee: Kwa Gayo rafiki yangu, nimpendaye katika kweli.
The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Mpendwa, naomba ufanikiwe katika mambo yote na kuwa na afya njema kama vile roho yako ifanikiwavyo.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 Ilinifurahisha sana baadhi ya ndugu walipokuja na kutueleza juu ya uaminifu wako katika kweli na jinsi unavyoendelea kuenenda katika hiyo kweli.
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 Sina furaha kubwa kuliko hii, kusikia kwamba watoto wangu wanaenenda katika kweli.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Rafiki mpendwa, wewe ni mwaminifu kwa yale unayowatendea ndugu, ingawa wao ni wageni kwako.
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Wameshuhudia kuhusu upendo wako mbele ya kanisa. Utafanya vyema ukiwasafirisha kama inavyostahili kwa Mungu.
Which have borne witness of thy charity before the assembly: whom if thou bring forward on their journey worthily of Elohim, thou shalt do well:
7 Ilikuwa ni kwa ajili ya hilo Jina waliondoka, bila kukubali kupokea msaada wowote kutoka kwa watu wasioamini.
Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 Kwa hiyo imetupasa sisi kuonyesha ukarimu kwa watu kama hao ili tuweze kutenda kazi pamoja kwa ajili ya kweli.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9 Nililiandikia kanisa, lakini Deotrefe, yeye apendaye kujifanya wa kwanza, hakubali mamlaka yetu.
I wrote unto the assembly: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 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.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the assembly.
11 Rafiki mpendwa, usiige lile lililo baya bali lile lililo jema. Yeyote atendaye mema atoka kwa Mungu, bali atendaye mabaya hajamwona Mungu.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of YHWH: but he that doeth evil hath not seen YHWH.
12 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.
Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
13 Ninayo mambo mengi ya kukuandikia, lakini sipendi kuandika kwa kalamu na wino.
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 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.
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.
