Yakobo 2
1 Ndugu zangu msiifuate imani ya Bwana Yesu Kristo, Bwana wa utukufu, kwa kupendelea watu fulani.
My brothers, ye should not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, in favoritism.
2 Kama mtu fulani akiingia kwenye mikutano yenu amevaa pete za dhahabu na mavazi mazuri, pia akaingia masikini mwenye mavazi machafu,
For if a man with a gold ring in bright clothing comes into your synagogue, and also a poor man in dirty clothing comes in,
3 na mkaonyesha kumjali zaidi yule mwenye mavazi mazuri na kusema, “Tafadhari wewe keti hapa mahali pazuri” lakini mkamwambia yule masikini, “Wewe simama pale,” au “Kaa chini ya miguu yangu.”
and ye have regard for the man wearing the bright clothing, and say to him, Sit thou here well, and ye say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit here below my footstool,
4 Je, hamuhukumiani ninyi wenyewe, na kuwa waamuzi wenye mawazo mabaya?
then are ye not partial among yourselves, and become judges from evil thoughts?
5 Sikilizeni, ndugu zangu wapendwa, je, Mungu hakuwachagua masikini wa dunia kuwa matajiri katika imani na kurithi ufalme aliowaahidia wampendao?
Listen, my beloved brothers, did not God choose the poor of the world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he promised to those who love him?
6 Lakini mmewadharau masikini! Je, sio matajiri wanaowatesa ninyi, na sio wao wanaowaburuta mahakamani?
But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich exploit you, and they themselves drag you into courts?
7 Je, si matajiri wanaolitukana jina lile zuri ambalo kwalo mnaitiwa?
Do they not blaspheme the good name that was called upon you?
8 Hata hivyo, kama mwaitimiza ile sheria ya kifalme kama ilivyoandikwa katika maandiko, “Utampenda jirani yako kama wewe mwenyewe,” mwafanya vyema.
If ye indeed fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.
9 Lakini kama mkipendelea baadhi ya watu, mnatenda dhambi, mwahukumiwa na sheria kuwa ni wavunja sheria.
But if ye respect personages, ye work sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 Kwa kuwa yeyote atiiye sheria yote, na bado akajikwaa katika nukta moja tu, amekuwa na hatia ya kuvunja sheria yote!
For whoever keeps the whole law, and stumbles on one, he has become guilty of all.
11 Kwa kuwa Mungu aliyesema, “Usizini,” ndiye pia aliyesema, “Usiue.” Kama hauzini, lakini una uwa, umekwishavunja sheria ya Mungu.
For he who said thou shall not commit adultery, also said thou shall not murder. Now if thou will not commit adultery, but murder, thou have become a transgressor of law.
12 Kwa hiyo zungumzeni na kutii kama wale ambao mko karibu kuhukumiwa na sheria ya uhuru.
So speak ye, and so do ye, as men who are to be judged by a law of liberty.
13 Kwa kuwa hukumu huja pasipo huruma kwa wale wasio na huruma. Huruma hujitukuza juu ya hukumu.
For the judgment is merciless to him who did no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
14 Kuna uzuri gani, ndugu zangu, kama mtu anasema ninayo imani, lakini hana matendo? Je, imani hiyo yaweza kumwokoa?
What is the benefit, my brothers, if some man should say to have faith, but has no works? Can the faith save him?
15 Kama ndugu wa kiume au wa kike ni muhitaji wa mavazi au chakula cha kila siku,
And if a brother or sister may be unclothed, and may be destitute of daily food,
16 na mmoja wenu akawaambia, “Nendeni kwa amani, mkaote moto na mle vizuri,” lakini hamuwapi mahitaji muhimu ya mwili, hiyo yafaaa nini?
and some man of you would say to them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and fed, but ye would not give them the things necessary for the body, what is the benefit?
17 Hali kadhalika, imani pekee, kama haina matendo, imekufa.
So also faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself.
18 Bado mtu fulani anaweza kusema, “Una imani, na mimi ninayo matendo.” Nionyeshe imani yako pasipo matendo, nami nitakuonyesha imani yangu kwa matendo yangu.
But some man will say, Thou have faith, and I have works. Show me thy faith from thy works, and I will show thee from my works my faith.
19 Waamini kuwa kuna Mungu mmoja; uko sahihi. Lakini mapepo nayo yanaamini hivyo na kutetemeka.
Thou believe that there is one God, thou do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.
20 Je, unataka kujua, ewe mtu mpumbavu, namna ambavyo imani hiyo pasipo matendo isivyofaa?
But do thou want to know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?
21 Je, si baba yetu Abrahamu alihesabiwa haki kwa matendo alipomtoa mwanawe Isaka juu ya madhabahu?
Was not Abraham our father made righteous from works, having offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Mnaona kuwa imani yake ilifanya kazi na matendo yake, na kwa matendo yake, imani yake ilifikia kusudio lake.
Thou see that faith was working with his works, and from the works, faith was fully perfected.
23 Maandiko yalitimizwa yasemayo, “Abrahamu alimwamini Mungu, na akahesabiwa kuwa ni mwenye haki.” Hivyo Abrahamu aliitwa rafiki wa Mungu.
And the scripture was fulfilled, which says, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness, and he was called a friend of God.
24 Mwaona kuwa kwa matendo mtu huhesabiwa haki, na si kwa imani tu.
Ye see therefore that from works a man is made righteous, and not from faith only.
25 Hali kadhalika, je, hakuwa Rahabu yule kahaba alihesabiwa haki kwa matendo, alipowakaribisha wajumbe na kuwapeleka kwa barabara nyingine?
And likewise also was not Rahab the harlot made righteous from works, having received the agents, and having sent them out another way?
26 Kwa kuwa kama vile mwili usipokuwa na roho umekufa, vivyo hivyo imani pasipo matendo imekufa.
For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without the works is dead.
