James 3
1 Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
Ndugu zangu, msiwe walimu wengi, kwa maana mnafahamu kwamba sisi tufundishao tutahukumiwa vikali zaidi.
2 For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.
Sisi sote tunajikwaa katika mambo mengi. Ikiwa mtu yeyote hakosei kamwe katika yale anayosema, yeye ni mkamilifu, naye anaweza kuuzuia pia na mwili wake wote.
3 Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.
Tunapotia lijamu kwenye vinywa vya farasi ili kuwafanya watutii, tunaweza kuigeuza miili yao yote.
4 Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.
Au angalia pia meli, ingawa ni kubwa sana, nazo huchukuliwa na upepo mkali, lakini hugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, kokote anakotaka nahodha.
5 Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!
Vivyo hivyo ulimi ni kiungo kidogo sana katika mwili, lakini hujivuna majivuno makuu. Fikirini jinsi moto mdogo unavyoweza kuteketeza msitu mkubwa!
6 and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell. (Geenna g1067)
Ulimi pia ni moto, ndio ulimwengu wa uovu kati ya viungo vya mwili. Ulimi huutia mwili wote wa mtu unajisi na kuuwasha moto mfumo mzima wa maisha yake, nao wenyewe huchomwa moto wa jehanamu. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;
Kwa maana kila aina ya wanyama, ndege, wanyama watambaao na viumbe vya baharini vinafugika na vimefugwa na binadamu,
8 but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.
lakini hakuna mtu awezaye kuufuga ulimi. Ni uovu usiotulia, umejaa sumu iletayo mauti.
9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness of God.
Kwa ulimi tunamhimidi Bwana, yaani Baba yetu, na kwa huo twawalaani watu walioumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu.
10 Out of the same mouth goes forth blessing and cursing. It is not right, my brethren, that these things should be thus.
Katika kinywa kile kile hutoka baraka na laana. Ndugu zangu, haistahili kuwa hivyo.
11 Does the fountain, out of the same opening, pour forth sweet and bitter?
Je, chemchemi yaweza kutoa katika tundu moja maji matamu na maji ya chumvi?
12 Can, my brethren, a fig produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither [can] salt [water] make sweet water.
Je, ndugu zangu, mtini waweza kuzaa zeituni, au mzabibu kuzaa tini? Wala chemchemi ya maji ya chumvi haiwezi kutoa maji matamu.
13 Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;
Ni nani aliye na hekima na ufahamu miongoni mwenu? Basi na aionyeshe hiyo kwa maisha yake mema na kwa matendo yake yaliyotendwa kwa unyenyekevu utokanao na hekima.
14 but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Lakini ikiwa mna wivu na ni wenye chuki na ugomvi mioyoni mwenu, msijisifu kwa ajili ya hayo wala msiikatae kweli.
15 This is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but earthly, natural, devilish.
Hekima ya namna hiyo haishuki kutoka mbinguni, bali ni ya kidunia, isiyo ya kiroho, na ya kishetani.
16 For where emulation and strife [are], there [is] disorder and every evil thing.
Kwa maana panapokuwa na wivu na ubinafsi, ndipo penye machafuko na uovu wa kila namna.
17 But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.
Lakini hekima itokayo mbinguni kwanza ni safi, kisha inapenda amani, tena ni ya upole, iliyo tayari kusikiliza wengine kwa unyenyekevu, iliyojaa huruma na matunda mema, isiyopendelea mtu, tena isiyokuwa na unafiki.
18 But [the] fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace.
Mavuno ya haki hupandwa katika amani na wale wafanyao amani.
