Yakobo 3
1 Ndugu zangu, wengi wenu msiwe walimu. Kama mjuavyo, sisi walimu tutapata hukumu kubwa zaidi kuliko wengine.
Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.
2 Lakini kama mtu hakosi katika usemi wake, basi, huyo ni mkamilifu, na anaweza kutawala nafsi yake yote.
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 Sisi huwatia farasi lijamu kinywani mwao ili watutii; na kwa njia hiyo twaweza kuwaongoza kokote tunakotaka.
When we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we control their whole body also.
4 Meli nazo pia, ingawa ni kubwa sana, na husukumwa na upepo mkali, huweza kugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, zikaelekea kokote nahodha anakotaka.
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, ingawa ni kiungo kidogo cha mwili, hujisifia makuu sana. Moto mdogo waweza 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 Hali kadhalika ulimi ni kama moto. Umejaa maovu chungu nzima, unayo nafasi yake katika miili yetu na hueneza ubaya katika nafsi zetu zote. Huteketeza maisha yetu yote kwa moto utokao Jehanamu kwenyewe. (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 Binadamu anaweza kuwafuga wanyama, na amefaulu kufuga viumbe vyote—wanyama wa mwituni, ndege, nyoka na viumbe vya baharini.
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 aliyeweza kuufuga ulimi. Ulimi ni kitu kiovu, hakitawaliki, na kimejaa sumu inayoua.
no man can tame the tongue, restless evil that it is, full of deadly poison.
9 Kwa ulimi sisi twamshukuru Bwana na Baba yetu. Kwa ulimi huohuo twawalaani watu, watu ambao wameumbwa 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 Maneno ya laana na ya kusifia hutoka katika kinywa kimoja. Ndugu zangu, mambo haya hayapaswi kuwa hivyo.
From out of the same mouth pour forth blessings and cursings! My brothers, this ought not to be so.
11 Je, chemchemi moja yaweza kutoa maji matamu na maji machungu pamoja?
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?
12 Ndugu zangu, je, mti wa mtini waweza kuzaa zeituni? Au, mzabibu waweza kuzaa tini? 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 Je, ni nani mwenye hekima na akili miongoni mwenu? Basi, aonyeshe jambo hilo kwa mwenendo wake mzuri na kwa matendo yake mema yanayofanyika kwa unyenyekevu 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 mioyo yenu imejaa wivu, chuki na ubinafsi, basi, msijisifu na kusema uongo dhidi ya ukweli.
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 haitoki juu mbinguni; hekima hiyo ni ya ulimwengu, na ya kidunia, tena ni ya kishetani.
Such wisdom is not that which is descending from on high, but is earthly, sensual, demonlike.
16 Maana popote palipo na wivu na ubinafsi hapo pana fujo na kila aina ya uovu.
For wherever jealousy and faction exist, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17 Lakini hekima itokayo juu mbinguni, kwanza ni safi; inapenda amani, upole na huwajali watu; imejaa huruma na huzaa matunda ya matendo mema; haina ubaguzi wala 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 Uadilifu ni mazao ya mbegu ambazo wapenda amani hupanda katika amani.
And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those who are working peace.
