1 Yohana 1
1 Kile kilichokuwapo tangu mwanzo-kile tulichokisikia, kile tulichokiona kwa macho yetu, kile tulichokitazama, na mikono yetu imekishika-kuhusu Neno la uzima.
[I, John, am writing to you about] the one who existed before [there was anything else]. He is the one whom we [apostles] listened to [as he taught us!] We saw him! We ourselves looked at him and touched him! [He is the one who taught us] the message that [enables people to have eternal] life (OR, live [spiritually]).
2 Na ule uzima ulifanywa kujulikana wazi, na tumeuona, na kuushuhudia, na kuwatangazia uzima wa milele, ambao ulikuwa kwa Baba na ulifanywa kujulikana kwetu. (aiōnios g166)
Because he came here [to the earth] and we have seen him, we proclaim to you clearly that the one whom we have seen is the [one who] has always lived. He was [previously] with his Father in heaven, but he came to live among us. (aiōnios g166)
3 Kile tulichokiona na kukisikia twakitangaza kwenu pia, ili kwamba muweze kujumuika pamoja nasi, na ushirika wetu pamoja na Baba na Mwanae Yesu Kristo.
We proclaim to you the [message about Jesus], the one whom we saw and heard, in order that you may have a close relationship with us. The ones whom we have a close relationship with are God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
4 Na tunawandikia mambo haya ninyi ili kwamba furaha yetu iwe timilifu.
I am writing to you about these things so that [you (will be convinced/believe]) [that they are true, and as a] result we may be completely joyful.
5 Huu ndio ujumbe tuliousikia kutoka kwake na kuwatangazia: Mungu ni nuru na ndani yake hakuna giza hata kidogo.
The message that we heard from Christ and proclaim to you is this: God is [pure in every way. He never sins. He is like] [MET] a [brilliant] light that has no darkness at all.
6 Kama tukisema kwamba tunaushirika naye na twatembea gizani, twadanganya na hatutendi kweli.
If we claim to have a close relationship with [God], but [we conduct our lives in an impure manner, that is like] living [MET] in [evil] darkness. We are lying. We are not conducting our lives according to [God’s] true message.
7 Lakini tukitembea katika nuru kama alivyo katika nuru, twashirikiana sisi kwa sisi, na damu ya Yesu Kristo, mwanae yatutakasa kutoka dhambi zote.
But living [in a pure manner], as God is [living in a pure manner] [MET] [in every way, is like living] in God’s light. If we do that, we have a close relationship with each other. Not only that, but [God] (acquits us/removes [the guilt]) [of] all our sins because [he accepts] what his Son Jesus did for us [when his] blood [flowed from his body when he died. So we should conduct our lives] ([in a manner according to what God says is pure]).
8 Kama tukisema hatuna dhambi, twajidanganya wenyewe, na kweli haimo ndani yetu.
Those who say they never behave sinfully are deceiving themselves, and refusing [to accept as] true [what God says about them].
9 Lakini tukizitubu dhambi zetu, yeye ni mwaminifu na haki kutusamehe dhambi zetu na kututakasa na uovu wote.
But God will do what he says that he will do, and what he does is [always] right. So, if we confess to him that we [have behaved] sinfully, he will forgive [us for] our sins and (will free us from/remove) [the guilt of] all our sins. [Because of that], [we should confess to him that we have behaved sinfully].
10 Tukisema kwamba hatujatenda dhambi, twamfanya yeye kuwa muongo, na neno lake halimo ndani yetu.
[Because God says that everyone has sinned], those who say/claim that they have never behaved sinfully talk [as though] God lies! They reject what God says [about us]!
