1
Ndugu zangu, msiwe waalimu wengi, mkijua ya kuwa mtapata hukumu kubwa zaidi.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2
Maana twajikwaa sisi sote pia katika mambo mengi. Mtu asiyejikwaa katika kunena, huyo ni mtu mkamilifu, awezaye kuuzuia na mwili wake wote kama kwa lijamu.
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.
3
Angalieni, twatia lijamu katika vinywa vya farasi, ili wamtii, hivi twageuza mwili wao wote.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
4
Tena angalieni merikebu; ingawa ni kubwa kama nini, na kuchukuliwa na pepo kali, zageuzwa na usukani mdogo sana, ko kote anakoazimia kwenda nahodha.
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.
5
Vivyo hivyo ulimi nao ni kiungo kidogo, nao hujivuna majivuno makuu. Angalieni jinsi moto mdogo uwashavyo msitu mkubwa sana.
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.
6
Nao ulimi ni moto; ule ulimwengu wa uovu, ule ulimi, umewekwa katika viungo vyetu, nao ndio uutiao mwili wote unajisi, huuwasha moto mfulizo wa maumbile, nao huwashwa moto na jehanum.
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.
7
Maana kila aina ya wanyama, na ya ndege, na ya vitambaavyo, na ya vitu vilivyomo baharini, vinafugika, navyo vimekwisha kufugwa na wanadamu.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8
Bali ulimi hakuna awezaye kuufuga; ni uovu usiotulia, umejaa sumu iletayo mauti.
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9
Kwa huo twamhimidi Mungu Baba yetu, na kwa huo twawalaani wanadamu waliofanywa kwa mfano wa Mungu.
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10
Katika kinywa kile kile hutoka baraka na laana. Ndugu zangu, haifai mambo hayo kuwa hivyo.
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
11
Je! Chemchemi katika jicho moja hutoa maji matamu na maji machungu?
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12
Ndugu zangu, Je! Mtini waweza kuzaa zeituni, au mzabibu kuzaa tini? Kadhalika chemchemi haiwezi kutoa maji ya chumvi na maji matamu.
My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13
N'nani aliye na hekima na ufahamu kwenu? Na aonyeshe kazi zake kwa mwenendo wake mzuri, katika upole wa hekima.
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.
14
Lakini, mkiwa na wivu wenye uchungu na ugomvi mioyoni mwenu, msijisifu, wala msiseme uongo juu ya kweli.
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
15
Hekima hiyo siyo ile ishukayo kutoka juu, bali ni ya dunia, ya tabia ya kibinadamu, na Shetani.
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16
Maana hapo palipo wivu na ugomvi ndipo palipo machafuko, na kila tendo baya.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17
Lakini hekima itokayo juu, kwanza ni safi, tena ni ya amani, ya upole, tayari kusikiliza maneno ya watu, imejaa rehema na matunda mema, haina fitina, haina unafiki.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
18
Na tunda la haki hupandwa katika amani na wale wafanyao amani.
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.