3 Yohana 1
1 Mzee, kwa Gayo mpenzi, ninayempenda katika kweli.
The Elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Mpendwa, nakuombea ufanikiwe katika mambo yote na kuwa na afya njema, kama vile roho yako inavyofanikiwa.
I pray that you may prosper, beloved, in every way, and be in good health, even as your soul is prospering.
3 Maana nilifurahi sana wakati nilipoambiwa na ndugu waliokuja na kutoa ushuhuda juu ya kweli yako, kama vile unavyoenenda katika kweli.
For I was glad when brothers came and bore testimony to your truth, as indeed you are passing your life in truth.
4 Sina furaha kubwa zaidi ya hii, kusikia kwamba watoto wangu wanatembea katika kweli.
I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are passing their lives in the truth.
5 Mpendwa, unaenenda kwa uaminifu unapowahudumia ndugu na wageni,
You are acting faithfully, beloved, in whatever you are doing for the brothers and the strangers.
6 ambao wametoa ushuhuda wa upendo wako mbele ya kanisa. Unafanya vizuri kuwasafirisha katika safari zao kwa namna ambayo inampendeza Mungu.
They have borne testimony to your love before the church. You will do well to speed them on their way worthily of God;
7 Kwa sababu kwa ajili ya Jina, walienda bila kuchukua kitu chochote kutoka kwa watu wa Mataifa.
since for the sake of the Name they have started out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Hivyo, tunatakiwa kuwakaribisha watu kama hawa, ili tuwe watenda kazi wenza kwa ajili ya kweli.
Hence we ought to support such, so that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
9 Nililiandikia kusanyiko jambo fulani, lakini Diotrofe, anayependa kuwa wa kwanza miongoni mwao, hakubaliani na sisi.
I have written somewhat to the church; but Diotrephes, who love to take the lead among them, does not receive me.
10 Hivyo, kama nikija nitayakumbuka matendo yake anayoyafanya, jinsi anavyosema maneno mabaya kinyume nasi. Hajaridhika na matendo haya, yeye mwenyewe hawapokei ndugu. Hata huwakataza wengine ambao wanatamani kuwakaribisha hao ndugu na kuwafukuza watoke kwenye kusanyiko.
Do them when I come I will recall to mind the deeds which he is doing, prating against me with wicked words. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive the brothers, forbids those that would receive them, and excommunicates them from the church.
11 Mpenzi, usiige kilicho kibaya, bali iga kilicho chema. Yeye atendaye mema ni wa Mungu; na yeye atendaye mabaya hajamwona Mungu.
Do not imitate what is evil, beloved, but that which is good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has never gazed on God.
12 Demetrio ameshuhudiwa na wote na kweli yenyewe. sisi pia ni mashahidi, na unajua kuwa ushahuhuda wetu ni wa kweli.
All men bear testimony to Demetrius, and so does the truth itself. I also bear testimony to him; and you know that my testimony is true.
13 Ninayo mambo mengi ya kukuandikia, lakini sipendi kukuandikia kwa kalamu na wino.
I have a great deal to write to you, but I do not want to write you with pen and ink.
14 Bali ninatarajia kukuona hivi karibuni, na tutaongea nawe ana kwa ana. Amani iwe pamoja nawe. Marafiki wanakusalimu. Wasalimu marafiki kila mmoja kwa jina lake.
I am hoping soon to see you, and then we shall talk face to face. Peace be to you! The friends send their salutation. Salute the friends by name.
