3 Yohana 1
1 Mimi mzee nakuandikia wewe Gayo, rafiki yangu, ninayekupenda kweli.
The Elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Mpenzi wangu, nakutakia mafanikio mema ya kila aina; nakutakia afya njema ya mwili kama ulivyo nayo rohoni.
I pray that you may prosper, beloved, in every way, and be in good health, even as your soul is prospering.
3 Nimefurahi sana ndugu kadhaa walipofika hapa, wakaiambia juu ya uaminifu wako kuhusu ukweli; naam, wewe unaishi daima katika ukweli.
For I was glad when brothers came and bore testimony to your truth, as indeed you are passing your life in truth.
4 Hakuna kitu kinachonifurahisha zaidi kuliko kusikia kwamba watoto wangu wanaishi katika ukweli.
I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are passing their lives in the truth.
5 Mpenzi wangu, wewe ni mwaminifu kila mara unapowahudumia ndugu, hata kama ni wageni.
You are acting faithfully, beloved, in whatever you are doing for the brothers and the strangers.
6 Ndugu hao wamelieleza kanisa hapa habari za upendo wako. Tafadhali uwasaidie waendelee na safari yao kwa namna itakayompendeza 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 Maana wanaanza safari yao katika utumishi wa Kristo bila kupokea msaada wowote kutoka kwa watu wasioamini.
since for the sake of the Name they have started out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Basi, sisi tunapaswa kuwasaidia watu hawa, ili nasi tupate kushiriki katika kazi yao kwa ajili ya ukweli.
Hence we ought to support such, so that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
9 Niliandika barua fupi kwa hilo kanisa; lakini Diotrefe, ambaye hupenda kuwa kiongozi wao, hataki kabisa kunisikiliza.
I have written somewhat to the church; but Diotrephes, who love to take the lead among them, does not receive me.
10 Basi, nitakapokuja nitayafichua mambo yote anayofanya, maneno mabaya anayotutolea na uongo anaosema juu yetu. Isitoshe, yeye hukataa kuwakaribisha hao ndugu walio safarini, na hata huwazuia watu wengine wanaotaka kuwakaribisha, na hujaribu kuwafukuzia nje ya kanisa.
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 wangu, usifuate mfano mbaya, bali mfano mwema. Kila atendaye mema ni wa Mungu; lakini anayetenda mabaya hajapata kumwona 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 Kila mtu anamsifu Demetrio; naam, ukweli wenyewe unamsifu. Nasi pia tunatoa ushahidi wetu juu yake, nawe wajua kwamba tunachosema ni 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 bado mengi ya kukwambia, lakini sipendi kuyaandika 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 Natumaini kukuona karibuni na hapo tutazungumza ana kwa ana. Nakutakia amani. Rafiki zako wanakusalimu. Wasalimu rafiki zetu wote kila mmoja binafsi.
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.
