Yakobo 2
1 Ndugu zangu msiifuate imani ya Bwana Yesu Kristo, Bwana wa utukufu, kwa kupendelea watu fulani.
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partial regard for persons.
2 Kama mtu fulani akiingia kwenye mikutano yenu amevaa pete za dhahabu na mavazi mazuri, pia akaingia masikini mwenye mavazi machafu,
For if there enter into your synagogue a man having gold rings on his fingers, and with splendid clothing, and there enter likewise a poor man, with sordid apparel;
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 you look on him who has the splendid clothing, and say, Sit you here honorably; and to the poor man, Stand you there; or, Sit here at my footstool:
4 Je, hamuhukumiani ninyi wenyewe, na kuwa waamuzi wenye mawazo mabaya?
are you not, then, partial among yourselves, and have become judges who reason wickedly?
5 Sikilizeni, ndugu zangu wapendwa, je, Mungu hakuwachagua masikini wa dunia kuwa matajiri katika imani na kurithi ufalme aliowaahidia wampendao?
Hearken, beloved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of the world--rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them who love him?
6 Lakini mmewadharau masikini! Je, sio matajiri wanaowatesa ninyi, na sio wao wanaowaburuta mahakamani?
Do not the rich exceedingly oppress you, and themselves drag you to the judgment seats?
7 Je, si matajiri wanaolitukana jina lile zuri ambalo kwalo mnaitiwa?
Do not they defame that excellent name which is named on you?
8 Hata hivyo, kama mwaitimiza ile sheria ya kifalme kama ilivyoandikwa katika maandiko, “Utampenda jirani yako kama wewe mwenyewe,” mwafanya vyema.
If, now, indeed, you fulfill a royal law, according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.
9 Lakini kama mkipendelea baadhi ya watu, mnatenda dhambi, mwahukumiwa na sheria kuwa ni wavunja sheria.
But if you have respect of persons, you commit sin, being convicted by the law of transgressors.
10 Kwa kuwa yeyote atiiye sheria yote, na bado akajikwaa katika nukta moja tu, amekuwa na hatia ya kuvunja sheria yote!
For whoever will keep the whole law, yet fails in one point, 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, "Do not commit adultery," has also said, "Do not kill." Now if you do not commit adultery, yet if you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 Kwa hiyo zungumzeni na kutii kama wale ambao mko karibu kuhukumiwa na sheria ya uhuru.
So speak, and so do, as those who shall 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 judgment without mercy, will be to him who showed no mercy: but mercy exults over judgment.
14 Kuna uzuri gani, ndugu zangu, kama mtu anasema ninayo imani, lakini hana matendo? Je, imani hiyo yaweza kumwokoa?
What is the advantage, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? Can faith save him?
15 Kama ndugu wa kiume au wa kike ni muhitaji wa mavazi au chakula cha kila siku,
For if a brother or a sister be naked, or 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 any one of you say to him, Depart in peace: be warmed, and be filled; yet give him none of the things needful for the body, what is the advantage?
17 Hali kadhalika, imani pekee, kama haina matendo, imekufa.
So, also, faith, if it have not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Bado mtu fulani anaweza kusema, “Una imani, na mimi ninayo matendo.” Nionyeshe imani yako pasipo matendo, nami nitakuonyesha imani yangu kwa matendo yangu.
Also, one may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 Waamini kuwa kuna Mungu mmoja; uko sahihi. Lakini mapepo nayo yanaamini hivyo na kutetemeka.
You believe that there is one God; you do well: even the demons believe and tremble.
20 Je, unataka kujua, ewe mtu mpumbavu, namna ambavyo imani hiyo pasipo matendo isivyofaa?
Besides, would you know, O vain man, that faith, without works, is dead?
21 Je, si baba yetu Abrahamu alihesabiwa haki kwa matendo alipomtoa mwanawe Isaka juu ya madhabahu?
Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works, when he had lifted 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.
You see that his faith co-operated with his works, and by works his faith was perfected.
23 Maandiko yalitimizwa yasemayo, “Abrahamu alimwamini Mungu, na akahesabiwa kuwa ni mwenye haki.” Hivyo Abrahamu aliitwa rafiki wa Mungu.
And so that scripture was fulfilled, which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God."
24 Mwaona kuwa kwa matendo mtu huhesabiwa haki, na si kwa imani tu.
You see, that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Hali kadhalika, je, hakuwa Rahabu yule kahaba alihesabiwa haki kwa matendo, alipowakaribisha wajumbe na kuwapeleka kwa barabara nyingine?
And in like manner, also, was not Rahab, the harlot, justified by works, having secretly received the messengers, and having sent them away by another road.
26 Kwa kuwa kama vile mwili usipokuwa na roho umekufa, vivyo hivyo imani pasipo matendo imekufa.
For, as the body, without the spirit, is dead, so, also, faith, without works, is dead.
