James 3
1 My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.
Ndugu zangu, wengi wenu msiwe walimu. Kama mjuavyo, sisi walimu tutapata hukumu kubwa zaidi kuliko wengine.
2 For in many things we all offend. If any man stumble not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Lakini kama mtu hakosi katika usemi wake, basi, huyo ni mkamilifu, na anaweza kutawala nafsi yake yote.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Sisi huwatia farasi lijamu kinywani mwao ili watutii; na kwa njia hiyo twaweza kuwaongoza kokote tunakotaka.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they are turned about with a very small helm, wherever the pilot willeth.
Meli nazo pia, ingawa ni kubwa sana, na husukumwa na upepo mkali, huweza kugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, zikaelekea kokote nahodha anakotaka.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Vivyo hivyo, ulimi, ingawa ni kiungo kidogo cha mwili, hujisifia makuu sana. Moto mdogo waweza kuteketeza msitu mkubwa.
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire from 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 beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of creatures in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind:
Binadamu anaweza kuwafuga wanyama, na amefaulu kufuga viumbe vyote—wanyama wa mwituni, ndege, nyoka na viumbe vya baharini.
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Lakini hakuna mtu aliyeweza kuufuga ulimi. Ulimi ni kitu kiovu, hakitawaliki, na kimejaa sumu inayoua.
9 With it we bless God, even the Father; and with it we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God.
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 proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Maneno ya laana na ya kusifia hutoka katika kinywa kimoja. Ndugu zangu, mambo haya hayapaswi kuwa hivyo.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Je, chemchemi moja yaweza kutoa maji matamu na maji machungu pamoja?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? or a vine, figs? so no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh.
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 a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by a good behaviour his works with meekness 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 ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Lakini ikiwa mioyo yenu imejaa wivu, chuki na ubinafsi, basi, msijisifu na kusema uongo dhidi ya ukweli.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
Hekima ya namna hiyo haitoki juu mbinguni; hekima hiyo ni ya ulimwengu, na ya kidunia, tena ni ya kishetani.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Maana popote palipo na wivu na ubinafsi hapo pana fujo na kila aina ya uovu.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
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 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.
Uadilifu ni mazao ya mbegu ambazo wapenda amani hupanda katika amani.
