James 3

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

1 Ndugu zangu, msiwe walimu wengi, kwa maana mnafahamu kwamba sisi tufundishao tutahukumiwa vikali zaidi.

2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

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.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.

3 Tunapotia lijamu kwenye vinywa vya farasi ili kuwafanya watutii, tunaweza kuigeuza miili yao yote.

4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.

4 Au angalia pia meli, ingawa ni kubwa sana, nazo huchukuliwa na upepo mkali, lakini hugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, kokote anakotaka nahodha.

5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

5 Vivyo hivyo ulimi ni kiungo kidogo sana katika mwili, lakini hujivuna majivuno makuu. Fikirini jinsi moto mdogo unavyoweza kuteketeza msitu mkubwa!

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

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.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

7 Kwa maana kila aina ya wanyama, ndege, wanyama watambaao na viumbe vya baharini vinafugika na vimefugwa na binadamu,

8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

8 lakini hakuna mtu awezaye kuufuga ulimi. Ni uovu usiotulia, umejaa sumu iletayo mauti.

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

9 Kwa ulimi tunamhimidi Bwana, yaani Baba yetu, na kwa huo twawalaani watu walioumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu.

10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

10 Katika kinywa kile kile hutoka baraka na laana. Ndugu zangu, haistahili kuwa hivyo.

11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

11 Je, chemchemi yaweza kutoa katika tundu moja maji matamu na maji ya chumvi?

12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

12 Je, ndugu zangu, mtini waweza kuzaa zeituni, au mzabibu kuzaa tini? Wala chemchemi ya maji ya chumvi haiwezi kutoa maji matamu.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

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.

14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

14 Lakini ikiwa mna wivu na ni wenye chuki na ugomvi mioyoni mwenu, msijisifu kwa ajili ya hayo wala msiikatae kweli.

15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

15 Hekima ya namna hiyo haishuki kutoka mbinguni, bali ni ya kidunia, isiyo ya kiroho, na ya kishetani.

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

16 Kwa maana panapokuwa na wivu na ubinafsi, ndipo penye machafuko na uovu wa kila namna.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

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.

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

18 Mavuno ya haki hupandwa katika amani na wale wafanyao amani.