1
Mzee, kwa mama mteule na watoto wake niwapendao katika kweli; wala si mimi peke yangu, bali na wote waijuao ile kweli;
The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I alone, but also all who know the truth—
2
kwa ajili ya hiyo kweli ikaayo ndani yetu, nayo itakuwa pamoja nasi hata milele.
because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
3
Neema, na rehema, na amani, zitokazo kwa Mungu Baba na kwa Yesu Kristo Mwana wa Baba, zitakuwa pamoja nasi katika kweli na upendo.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, will be with us in truth and love.
4
Nalifurahi mno kwa kuwa nimewaona baadhi ya watoto wako wanaenenda katika kweli, kama vile tulivyopokea amri kwa Baba.
I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us.
5
Na sasa mama, nakuomba, si kwamba nakuandikia amri mpya, bali ile tuliyokuwa nayo tangu mwanzo, kwamba tupendane.
And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
6
Na huu ndio upendo: tuenende kwa kuzifuata amri zake. Hii ndiyo ile amri, kama mlivyosikia tangu mwanzo kwamba mwenende katika hiyo.
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love.
7
Kwa maana wadanganyifu wengi wametokea duniani, wasiokiri ya kuwa Yesu Kristo yuaja katika mwili. Huyo ndiye yule mdanganyifu na mpinga Kristo.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
8
Jiangalieni nafsi zenu msiyapoteze mliyoyatenda, bali mpokee thawabu timilifu.
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
9
Kila apitaye cheo, wala asidumu katika mafundisho ya Kristo, yeye hana Mungu. Yeye adumuye katika mafundisho hayo, huyo ana Baba na Mwana pia.
Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10
Mtu akija kwenu, naye haleti mafundisho hayo, msimkaribishe nyumbani mwenu, wala msimpe salamu.
If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
11
Maana yeye ampaye salamu azishiriki kazi zake mbovu.
Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
12
Kwa kuwa ninayo mambo mengi, sitaki kuyaandika kwa karatasi na wino; lakini nataraji kuja kwenu, na kusema nanyi uso kwa uso, ili furaha yetu iwe imetimizwa.
I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come and speak with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13
Watoto wa ndugu yako aliye mteule, wakusalimu.
The children of your elect sister send you greetings.