James 2
1 MY brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Ndugu zangu msiifuate imani ya Bwana Yesu Kristo, Bwana wa utukufu, kwa kupendelea watu fulani.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Kama mtu fulani akiingia kwenye mikutano yenu amevaa pete za dhahabu na mavazi mazuri, pia akaingia masikini mwenye mavazi machafu,
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
na mkaonyesha kumjali zaidi yule mwenye mavazi mazuri na kusema, “Tafadhari wewe keti hapa mahali pazuri” lakini mkamwambia yule masikini, “Wewe simama pale,” au “Kaa chini ya miguu yangu.”
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Je, hamuhukumiani ninyi wenyewe, na kuwa waamuzi wenye mawazo mabaya?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Sikilizeni, ndugu zangu wapendwa, je, Mungu hakuwachagua masikini wa dunia kuwa matajiri katika imani na kurithi ufalme aliowaahidia wampendao?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Lakini mmewadharau masikini! Je, sio matajiri wanaowatesa ninyi, na sio wao wanaowaburuta mahakamani?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Je, si matajiri wanaolitukana jina lile zuri ambalo kwalo mnaitiwa?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Hata hivyo, kama mwaitimiza ile sheria ya kifalme kama ilivyoandikwa katika maandiko, “Utampenda jirani yako kama wewe mwenyewe,” mwafanya vyema.
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Lakini kama mkipendelea baadhi ya watu, mnatenda dhambi, mwahukumiwa na sheria kuwa ni wavunja sheria.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Kwa kuwa yeyote atiiye sheria yote, na bado akajikwaa katika nukta moja tu, amekuwa na hatia ya kuvunja sheria yote!
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Kwa kuwa Mungu aliyesema, “Usizini,” ndiye pia aliyesema, “Usiue.” Kama hauzini, lakini una uwa, umekwishavunja sheria ya Mungu.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Kwa hiyo zungumzeni na kutii kama wale ambao mko karibu kuhukumiwa na sheria ya uhuru.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Kwa kuwa hukumu huja pasipo huruma kwa wale wasio na huruma. Huruma hujitukuza juu ya hukumu.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Kuna uzuri gani, ndugu zangu, kama mtu anasema ninayo imani, lakini hana matendo? Je, imani hiyo yaweza kumwokoa?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Kama ndugu wa kiume au wa kike ni muhitaji wa mavazi au chakula cha kila siku,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
na mmoja wenu akawaambia, “Nendeni kwa amani, mkaote moto na mle vizuri,” lakini hamuwapi mahitaji muhimu ya mwili, hiyo yafaaa nini?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Hali kadhalika, imani pekee, kama haina matendo, imekufa.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Bado mtu fulani anaweza kusema, “Una imani, na mimi ninayo matendo.” Nionyeshe imani yako pasipo matendo, nami nitakuonyesha imani yangu kwa matendo yangu.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Waamini kuwa kuna Mungu mmoja; uko sahihi. Lakini mapepo nayo yanaamini hivyo na kutetemeka.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Je, unataka kujua, ewe mtu mpumbavu, namna ambavyo imani hiyo pasipo matendo isivyofaa?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Je, si baba yetu Abrahamu alihesabiwa haki kwa matendo alipomtoa mwanawe Isaka juu ya madhabahu?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Mnaona kuwa imani yake ilifanya kazi na matendo yake, na kwa matendo yake, imani yake ilifikia kusudio lake.
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Maandiko yalitimizwa yasemayo, “Abrahamu alimwamini Mungu, na akahesabiwa kuwa ni mwenye haki.” Hivyo Abrahamu aliitwa rafiki wa Mungu.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Mwaona kuwa kwa matendo mtu huhesabiwa haki, na si kwa imani tu.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Hali kadhalika, je, hakuwa Rahabu yule kahaba alihesabiwa haki kwa matendo, alipowakaribisha wajumbe na kuwapeleka kwa barabara nyingine?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Kwa kuwa kama vile mwili usipokuwa na roho umekufa, vivyo hivyo imani pasipo matendo imekufa.
