1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Mzee, kwa Gayo mpenzi, nimpendaye katika kweli.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Mpenzi naomba ufanikiwe katika mambo yote na kuwa na afya yako, kama vile roho yako ifanikiwavyo.
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
Maana nalifurahi mno walipokuja ndugu na kuishuhudia kweli yako, kama uendavyo katika kweli.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Sina furaha iliyo kuu kuliko hii, kusikia ya kwamba watoto wangu wanakwenda katika kweli.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
Mpenzi, kazi ile ni ya uaminifu uwatendeayo hao ndugu na hao wageni nao,
6 which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
waliokushuhudia upendo wako mbele ya kanisa; utafanya vizuri ukiwasafirisha kama ipasavyo kwa Mungu.
7 because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
Kwa maana, kwa ajili ya Jina hilo, walitoka, wasipokee kitu kwa Mataifa.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
Basi imetupasa sisi kuwakaribisha watu kama hao, ili tuwe watenda kazi pamoja na kweli.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
Naliliandikia kanisa neno, lakini Diotrefe, apendaye kuwa wa kwanza kati yao, hatukubali.
10 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 church.
Kwa hiyo, nikija, nitayakumbuka matendo yake atendayo, atoavyo upuzi juu yetu kwa maneno maovu; wala hatoshwi na hayo, ila yeye mwenyewe hawakaribishi hao ndugu, na wale watakao kuwakaribisha, huwazuia, na kuwatoa katika kanisa.
11 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.
Mpenzi, usiuige ubaya, bali uige wema. Yeye atendaye mema ni wa Mungu, bali yeye atendaye mabaya hakumwona Mungu.
12 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.
Demetrio ameshuhudiwa na watu wote, tena na ile kweli yenyewe. Nasi pia twashuhudia, nawe wajua ya kwamba ushuhuda wetu ni kweli.
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
Nalikuwa na mambo mengi ya kukuandikia, lakini sipendi kukuandikia kwa wino na kalamu.
14 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.
Lakini nataraji kukuona karibu, nasi tutasema uso kwa uso. [15] Amani kwako. Rafiki zetu wakusalimu. Wasalimu hao rafiki zetu, kila mtu kwa jina lake.
