3 Yohana 1
1 Mzee, kwa Gayo mpenzi, ninayempenda katika kweli.
The elder to the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Mpendwa, nakuombea ufanikiwe katika mambo yote na kuwa na afya njema, kama vile roho yako inavyofanikiwa.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 Maana nilifurahi sana wakati nilipoambiwa na ndugu waliokuja na kutoa ushuhuda juu ya kweli yako, kama vile unavyoenenda katika 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 zaidi ya hii, kusikia kwamba watoto wangu wanatembea katika kweli.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Mpendwa, unaenenda kwa uaminifu unapowahudumia ndugu na wageni,
Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 ambao wametoa ushuhuda wa upendo wako mbele ya kanisa. Unafanya vizuri kuwasafirisha katika safari zao kwa namna ambayo inampendeza Mungu.
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 Kwa sababu kwa ajili ya Jina, walienda bila kuchukua kitu chochote kutoka kwa watu wa Mataifa.
Because for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Hivyo, tunatakiwa kuwakaribisha watu kama hawa, ili tuwe watenda kazi wenza kwa ajili ya kweli.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow-helpers to the truth.
9 Nililiandikia kusanyiko jambo fulani, lakini Diotrofe, anayependa kuwa wa kwanza miongoni mwao, hakubaliani na sisi.
I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.
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.
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 Mpenzi, usiige kilicho kibaya, bali iga kilicho chema. Yeye atendaye mema ni wa Mungu; na yeye atendaye mabaya hajamwona Mungu.
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 Demetrio ameshuhudiwa na wote na kweli yenyewe. sisi pia ni mashahidi, na unajua kuwa ushahuhuda wetu ni wa kweli.
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 Ninayo mambo mengi ya kukuandikia, lakini sipendi kukuandikia kwa kalamu na wino.
I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write to thee:
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.
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.
