James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Ndugu zangu, wengi wenu msiwe walimu. Kama mjuavyo, sisi walimu tutapata hukumu kubwa zaidi kuliko wengine.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a perfect man, able to control even his whole body.
Lakini kama mtu hakosi katika usemi wake, basi, huyo ni mkamilifu, na anaweza kutawala nafsi yake yote.
3 Now if we put bits into horses' mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies.
Sisi huwatia farasi lijamu kinywani mwao ili watutii; na kwa njia hiyo twaweza kuwaongoza kokote tunakotaka.
4 Notice also that ships, although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires.
Meli nazo pia, ingawa ni kubwa sana, na husukumwa na upepo mkali, huweza kugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, zikaelekea kokote nahodha anakotaka.
5 Likewise the tongue is a small body part, yet it boasts great things. Notice also how small a fire sets on fire a large forest.
Vivyo hivyo, ulimi, ingawa ni kiungo kidogo cha mwili, hujisifia makuu sana. Moto mdogo waweza kuteketeza msitu mkubwa.
6 The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
Hali kadhalika ulimi ni kama moto. Umejaa maovu chungu nzima, unayo nafasi yake katika miili yetu na hueneza ubaya katika nafsi zetu zote. Huteketeza maisha yetu yote kwa moto utokao Jehanamu kwenyewe. (Geenna g1067)
7 For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
Binadamu anaweza kuwafuga wanyama, na amefaulu kufuga viumbe vyote—wanyama wa mwituni, ndege, nyoka na viumbe vya baharini.
8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Lakini hakuna mtu aliyeweza kuufuga ulimi. Ulimi ni kitu kiovu, hakitawaliki, na kimejaa sumu inayoua.
9 With it we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
Kwa ulimi sisi twamshukuru Bwana na Baba yetu. Kwa ulimi huohuo twawalaani watu, watu ambao wameumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu.
10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen.
Maneno ya laana na ya kusifia hutoka katika kinywa kimoja. Ndugu zangu, mambo haya hayapaswi kuwa hivyo.
11 Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water?
Je, chemchemi moja yaweza kutoa maji matamu na maji machungu pamoja?
12 Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water.
Ndugu zangu, je, mti wa mtini waweza kuzaa zeituni? Au, mzabibu waweza kuzaa tini? Chemchemi ya maji ya chumvi haiwezi kutoa maji matamu.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let that person show a good life by his works in the humility of wisdom.
Je, ni nani mwenye hekima na akili miongoni mwenu? Basi, aonyeshe jambo hilo kwa mwenendo wake mzuri na kwa matendo yake mema yanayofanyika kwa unyenyekevu na hekima.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Lakini ikiwa mioyo yenu imejaa wivu, chuki na ubinafsi, basi, msijisifu na kusema uongo dhidi ya ukweli.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Hekima ya namna hiyo haitoki juu mbinguni; hekima hiyo ni ya ulimwengu, na ya kidunia, tena ni ya kishetani.
16 For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice.
Maana popote palipo na wivu na ubinafsi hapo pana fujo na kila aina ya uovu.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Lakini hekima itokayo juu mbinguni, kwanza ni safi; inapenda amani, upole na huwajali watu; imejaa huruma na huzaa matunda ya matendo mema; haina ubaguzi wala unafiki.
18 The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace.
Uadilifu ni mazao ya mbegu ambazo wapenda amani hupanda katika amani.
