Yakobo 3
1 Ndugu zangu, msiwe walimu wengi, kwa maana mnafahamu kwamba sisi tufundishao tutahukumiwa vikali zaidi.
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 Sisi sote tunajikwaa katika mambo mengi. Ikiwa mtu yeyote hakosei kamwe katika yale anayosema, yeye ni mkamilifu, naye anaweza kuuzuia pia na mwili wake wote.
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Tunapotia lijamu kwenye vinywa vya farasi ili kuwafanya watutii, tunaweza kuigeuza miili yao yote.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Au angalia pia meli, ingawa ni kubwa sana, nazo huchukuliwa na upepo mkali, lakini hugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, kokote anakotaka nahodha.
Behold also the ships, which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Vivyo hivyo ulimi ni kiungo kidogo sana katika mwili, lakini hujivuna majivuno makuu. Fikirini jinsi moto mdogo unavyoweza kuteketeza msitu mkubwa!
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 Ulimi pia ni moto, ndio ulimwengu wa uovu kati ya viungo vya mwili. Ulimi huutia mwili wote wa mtu unajisi na kuuwasha moto mfumo mzima wa maisha yake, nao wenyewe huchomwa moto wa jehanamu. (Geenna g1067)
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 of hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 Kwa maana kila aina ya wanyama, ndege, wanyama watambaao na viumbe vya baharini vinafugika na vimefugwa na binadamu,
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 lakini hakuna mtu awezaye kuufuga ulimi. Ni uovu usiotulia, umejaa sumu iletayo mauti.
But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Kwa ulimi tunamhimidi Bwana, yaani Baba yetu, na kwa huo twawalaani watu walioumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Katika kinywa kile kile hutoka baraka na laana. Ndugu zangu, haistahili kuwa hivyo.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Je, chemchemi yaweza kutoa katika tundu moja maji matamu na maji ya chumvi?
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter?
12 Je, ndugu zangu, mtini waweza kuzaa zeituni, au mzabibu kuzaa tini? Wala chemchemi ya maji ya chumvi haiwezi kutoa maji matamu.
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Ni nani aliye na hekima na ufahamu miongoni mwenu? Basi na aionyeshe hiyo kwa maisha yake mema na kwa matendo yake yaliyotendwa kwa unyenyekevu utokanao na hekima.
Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 Lakini ikiwa mna wivu na ni wenye chuki na ugomvi mioyoni mwenu, msijisifu kwa ajili ya hayo wala msiikatae kweli.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 Hekima ya namna hiyo haishuki kutoka mbinguni, bali ni ya kidunia, isiyo ya kiroho, na ya kishetani.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 Kwa maana panapokuwa na wivu na ubinafsi, ndipo penye machafuko na uovu wa kila namna.
For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
17 Lakini hekima itokayo mbinguni kwanza ni safi, kisha inapenda amani, tena ni ya upole, iliyo tayari kusikiliza wengine kwa unyenyekevu, iliyojaa huruma na matunda mema, isiyopendelea mtu, tena isiyokuwa na unafiki.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 Mavuno ya haki hupandwa katika amani na wale wafanyao amani.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
