Yakobo 3
1 Ndugu zangu, msiwe walimu wengi, kwa maana mnafahamu kwamba sisi tufundishao tutahukumiwa vikali zaidi.
Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.
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 respects we often stumble. If any man never stumbles in speech, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 Tunapotia lijamu kwenye vinywa vya farasi ili kuwafanya watutii, tunaweza kuigeuza miili yao yote.
When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we control their whole body also.
4 Au angalia pia meli, ingawa ni kubwa sana, nazo huchukuliwa na upepo mkali, lakini hugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, kokote anakotaka nahodha.
Look at the ships too, though they are so large, even when driven by fierce winds they are turned by a very small rudder, wherever the impulse of the helmsman wills.
5 Vivyo hivyo ulimi ni kiungo kidogo sana katika mwili, lakini hujivuna majivuno makuu. Fikirini jinsi moto mdogo unavyoweza kuteketeza msitu mkubwa!
So also the tongue is a small member and makes great boasts. Behold, how great a forest is set on fire by a little spark!
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; it is a very world of iniquity among our members, defiling the whole body, and setting on fire the wheel of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. (Geenna g1067)
7 Kwa maana kila aina ya wanyama, ndege, wanyama watambaao na viumbe vya baharini vinafugika na vimefugwa na binadamu,
For while every kind of beast and bird, and of reptiles and sea- creatures are tamable, and actually have been tamed by mankind,
8 lakini hakuna mtu awezaye kuufuga ulimi. Ni uovu usiotulia, umejaa sumu iletayo mauti.
no man can tame the tongue, restless evil that it is, full of deadly poison.
9 Kwa ulimi tunamhimidi Bwana, yaani Baba yetu, na kwa huo twawalaani watu walioumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu.
With it we continually bless our Lord and Father, and with it we are accustomed to curse men made in the image of God.
10 Katika kinywa kile kile hutoka baraka na laana. Ndugu zangu, haistahili kuwa hivyo.
From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings! My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Je, chemchemi yaweza kutoa katika tundu moja maji matamu na maji ya chumvi?
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening 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 a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives; or a grape-vine, figs? No more can salt water yield fresh water.
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 among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show his deeds by his good life, in the 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 you have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, do not be boasting of that, and be false to the truth.
15 Hekima ya namna hiyo haishuki kutoka mbinguni, bali ni ya kidunia, isiyo ya kiroho, na ya kishetani.
Such wisdom is not that which is descending from on high, but is earthly, sensual, demonlike.
16 Kwa maana panapokuwa na wivu na ubinafsi, ndipo penye machafuko na uovu wa kila namna.
For wherever jealousy and faction exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.
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 which comes from on high is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, conciliatory, overflowing with mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without insincerity.
18 Mavuno ya haki hupandwa katika amani na wale wafanyao amani.
And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those who are working peace.
