Yakobo 2
1 Ndugu zangu msiifuate imani ya Bwana Yesu Kristo, Bwana wa utukufu, kwa kupendelea watu fulani.
My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord of glory, Jesus Christ, with respect of 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 come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in splendid apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment,
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 respect to him that weareth the splendid apparel, and say, Sit thou here in a good place, and say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or, Sit under my footstool,
4 Je, hamuhukumiani ninyi wenyewe, na kuwa waamuzi wenye mawazo mabaya?
have ye not been partial among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Sikilizeni, ndugu zangu wapendwa, je, Mungu hakuwachagua masikini wa dunia kuwa matajiri katika imani na kurithi ufalme aliowaahidia wampendao?
Hearken, my beloved brethren. Did not God choose the poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?
6 Lakini mmewadharau masikini! Je, sio matajiri wanaowatesa ninyi, na sio wao wanaowaburuta mahakamani?
but ye have despised the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do not they drag you before the judgment-seats?
7 Je, si matajiri wanaolitukana jina lile zuri ambalo kwalo mnaitiwa?
Do not they blaspheme the worthy name by which ye are called?
8 Hata hivyo, kama mwaitimiza ile sheria ya kifalme kama ilivyoandikwa katika maandiko, “Utampenda jirani yako kama wewe mwenyewe,” mwafanya vyema.
If indeed ye fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, “Thou shalt 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 have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are 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 hath kept the whole law, and yet hath offended in one point, hath 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,” said also, “Do not kill.” Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou hast 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 they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 Kwa kuwa hukumu huja pasipo huruma kwa wale wasio na huruma. Huruma hujitukuza juu ya hukumu.
For the judgment shall be without mercy to him that showed no mercy. Mercy glorieth against judgment.
14 Kuna uzuri gani, ndugu zangu, kama mtu anasema ninayo imani, lakini hana matendo? Je, imani hiyo yaweza kumwokoa?
What doth it profit, my brethren, if any one say that he hath faith, and have not works? Can his faith save him?
15 Kama ndugu wa kiume au wa kike ni muhitaji wa mavazi au chakula cha kila siku,
If a brother or sister be naked, and 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 one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be warmed and be filled, notwithstanding ye give them not the things needful for the body, what doth it profit?
17 Hali kadhalika, imani pekee, kama haina matendo, imekufa.
So also faith, if it hath not works, is dead in 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 one will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
19 Waamini kuwa kuna Mungu mmoja; uko sahihi. Lakini mapepo nayo yanaamini hivyo na kutetemeka.
Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well; the demons also believe, and tremble.
20 Je, unataka kujua, ewe mtu mpumbavu, namna ambavyo imani hiyo pasipo matendo isivyofaa?
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is idle?
21 Je, si baba yetu Abrahamu alihesabiwa haki kwa matendo alipomtoa mwanawe Isaka juu ya madhabahu?
Was not Abraham our father accepted as righteous through works, when he offered 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 seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.
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 saith, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned 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.
Ye see that by works a man is accounted as righteous, 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 was not also Rahab the harlot accounted as righteous through works, when she received the messengers, and 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 the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
