Yakobo 2
1 Ndugu zangu, kama waaminio katika imani ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, Bwana wa utukufu, msiwe na upendeleo kwa watu.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.
2 Kwa maana kama akija mtu katika kusanyiko lenu akiwa amevaa pete ya dhahabu na mavazi mazuri, pia akaingia mtu maskini mwenye mavazi yaliyochakaa,
For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 nanyi mkampa heshima yule aliyevaa mavazi mazuri na kumwambia, “Keti hapa mahali pazuri,” lakini yule maskini mkamwambia, “Wewe simama pale,” au “Keti hapa sakafuni karibu na miguu yangu,”
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say to him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 je, hamjawabagua na kuwa mahakimu mioyoni mwenu mkihukumu kwa mawazo yenu maovu?
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Ndugu zangu, sikilizeni: Je, Mungu hakuwachagua wale walio maskini machoni pa ulimwengu kuwa matajiri katika imani na kuurithi Ufalme aliowaahidi wale wampendao?
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?
6 Lakini ninyi mmemdharau yule aliye maskini. Je, hao matajiri si ndio wanaowadhulumu na kuwaburuta mahakamani?
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-seats?
7 Je, si wao wanaolikufuru Jina lile lililo bora sana mliloitiwa?
Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 Kama kweli mnaitimiza ile sheria ya kifalme inayopatikana katika Maandiko isemayo, “Mpende jirani yako kama unavyoipenda nafsi yako,” mnafanya vyema.
If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
9 Lakini kama mnakuwa na upendeleo kwa watu, mnatenda dhambi, na sheria inawahukumu kuwa ninyi ni wakosaji.
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 Kwa maana mtu yeyote anayeishika sheria yote lakini akajikwaa katika kipengele kimoja tu, ana hatia ya kuivunja sheria yote.
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
11 Kwa sababu yeye aliyesema, “Usizini,” alisema pia, “Usiue.” Basi kama huzini lakini unaua, umekuwa mvunjaji wa sheria.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery; said also, Do not kill. Now if thou committest no adultery, yet if thou killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 Hivyo semeni na kutenda kama watu watakaohukumiwa kwa sheria ile iletayo uhuru.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 Kwa kuwa hukumu bila huruma itatolewa kwa mtu yeyote asiyekuwa na huruma. Huruma huishinda hukumu.
For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 Ndugu zangu, yafaa nini ikiwa mtu atadai kuwa anayo imani lakini hana matendo? Je, imani kama hiyo yaweza kumwokoa?
What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
15 Ikiwa ndugu yako au dada hana mavazi wala chakula,
If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 mmoja wenu akamwambia, “Enenda zako kwa amani, ukaote moto na kushiba,” pasipo kumpatia yale mahitaji ya mwili aliyopungukiwa, yafaa nini?
And one of you sayeth to them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17 Vivyo hivyo, imani peke yake kama haikuambatana na matendo, imekufa.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Lakini mtu mwingine atasema, “Wewe unayo imani; mimi ninayo matendo.” Nionyeshe imani yako pasipo matendo nami nitakuonyesha imani yangu kwa matendo.
Also a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
19 Unaamini kwamba kuna Mungu mmoja. Vyema! Hata mashetani yanaamini hivyo na kutetemeka.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and tremble.
20 Ewe mpumbavu! Je, wataka kujua kwamba imani bila matendo haifai kitu?
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Je, Abrahamu baba yetu hakuhesabiwa haki kwa kile alichotenda, alipomtoa mwanawe Isaki madhabahuni?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Unaona jinsi ambavyo imani yake na matendo yake vilikuwa vinatenda kazi pamoja, nayo imani yake ikakamilishwa na kile alichotenda.
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 Kwa njia hiyo yakatimizwa yale Maandiko yasemayo, “Abrahamu alimwamini Mungu na ikahesabiwa kwake kuwa haki,” naye akaitwa rafiki wa Mungu.
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Mnaona ya kwamba mtu huhesabiwa haki kwa yale anayotenda wala si kwa imani peke yake.
Ye see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Vivyo hivyo, hata Rahabu, yule kahaba, hakuhesabiwa haki kwa yale aliyotenda alipowapokea wale wapelelezi na kuwaambia waende njia nyingine?
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
26 Kama vile ambavyo mwili pasipo roho umekufa, kadhalika nayo imani pasipo matendo imekufa.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
