Yakobo 2
1 Ndugu zangu, kama waaminio katika imani ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, Bwana wa utukufu, msiwe na upendeleo kwa watu.
My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, in a partial 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 synagogue a man with a gold ring in fine clothes, and there come in also a poor man in a mean habit;
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 turn your eyes toward him that weareth the fine clothes, and say to him, Sit thou here in an honorable place; and say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 je, hamjawabagua na kuwa mahakimu mioyoni mwenu mkihukumu kwa mawazo yenu maovu?
do ye not make a partial difference within yourselves, and become judges that reason wickedly?
5 Ndugu zangu, sikilizeni: Je, Mungu hakuwachagua wale walio maskini machoni pa ulimwengu kuwa matajiri katika imani na kuurithi Ufalme aliowaahidi wale wampendao?
Hear, my beloved brethren; hath not God chosen the poor of this world who are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which He hath promised to them that love Him? but ye have slighted the poor.
6 Lakini ninyi mmemdharau yule aliye maskini. Je, hao matajiri si ndio wanaowadhulumu na kuwaburuta mahakamani?
Do not the rich tyrannize over you; and drag you to their tribunals?
7 Je, si wao wanaolikufuru Jina lile lililo bora sana mliloitiwa?
Do they not blaspheme the glorious name by 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 fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, which saith, Thou shalt love thy neighbour 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 partially respect persons, ye commit sin, being 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 whosoever shall keep the whole law besides, but offend in one point, he is under the penalty 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 do not commit adultery, but committest murder, thou art a transgressor of the law.
12 Hivyo semeni na kutenda kama watu watakaohukumiwa kwa sheria ile iletayo uhuru.
So speak, and so act, as those who are to 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 judgement without mercy, that hath not shewn mercy: but mercy triumpheth over judgement.
14 Ndugu zangu, yafaa nini ikiwa mtu atadai kuwa anayo imani lakini hana matendo? Je, imani kama hiyo yaweza kumwokoa?
What is the advantage, my brethren, if any one say that he has faith, and he hath not works, can faith alone save him?
15 Ikiwa ndugu yako au dada hana mavazi wala chakula,
If a brother or sister be 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 say to them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and be ye filled: but ye give them not the necessaries of life, what profit is it to them?
17 Vivyo hivyo, imani peke yake kama haikuambatana na matendo, imekufa.
so faith, if it have not works, being alone, is dead.
18 Lakini mtu mwingine atasema, “Wewe unayo imani; mimi ninayo matendo.” Nionyeshe imani yako pasipo matendo nami nitakuonyesha imani yangu kwa matendo.
But one may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith by thy works, and I will shew 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 dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.
20 Ewe mpumbavu! Je, wataka kujua kwamba imani bila matendo haifai kitu?
But desirest thou to know, O vain man, that faith without works, is dead?
21 Je, Abrahamu baba yetu hakuhesabiwa haki kwa kile alichotenda, alipomtoa mwanawe Isaki madhabahuni?
consider, Was not our father Abraham justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?
22 Unaona jinsi ambavyo imani yake na matendo yake vilikuwa vinatenda kazi pamoja, nayo imani yake ikakamilishwa na kile alichotenda.
Thou seest that faith co-operated with his works, and that by his works his faith was perfected.
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 counted 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 a man is justified by works, 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?
And in like manner also was not the harlot Rahab justified by works, when she entertained the spies, and let 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.
