1
Mzee, kwa Gayo mpenzi, nimpendaye katika kweli.
The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
2
Mpenzi naomba ufanikiwe katika mambo yote na kuwa na afya yako, kama vile roho yako ifanikiwavyo.
Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
3
Maana nalifurahi mno walipokuja ndugu na kuishuhudia kweli yako, kama uendavyo katika kweli.
For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
4
Sina furaha iliyo kuu kuliko hii, kusikia ya kwamba watoto wangu wanakwenda katika kweli.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5
Mpenzi, kazi ile ni ya uaminifu uwatendeayo hao ndugu na hao wageni nao,
Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
6
waliokushuhudia upendo wako mbele ya kanisa; utafanya vizuri ukiwasafirisha kama ipasavyo kwa Mungu.
They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7
Kwa maana, kwa ajili ya Jina hilo, walitoka, wasipokee kitu kwa Mataifa.
For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8
Basi imetupasa sisi kuwakaribisha watu kama hao, ili tuwe watenda kazi pamoja na kweli.
Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9
Naliliandikia kanisa neno, lakini Diotrefe, apendaye kuwa wa kwanza kati yao, hatukubali.
I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
10
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.
So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.
11
Mpenzi, usiuige ubaya, bali uige wema. Yeye atendaye mema ni wa Mungu, bali yeye atendaye mabaya hakumwona Mungu.
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
12
Demetrio ameshuhudiwa na watu wote, tena na ile kweli yenyewe. Nasi pia twashuhudia, nawe wajua ya kwamba ushuhuda wetu ni kweli.
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13
Nalikuwa na mambo mengi ya kukuandikia, lakini sipendi kukuandikia kwa wino na kalamu.
I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.
14
Lakini nataraji kukuona karibu, nasi tutasema uso kwa uso.
Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.