1Ndugu zangu, wengi wenu msiwe walimu. Kama mjuavyo, sisi walimu tutapata hukumu kubwa zaidi kuliko wengine.
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2Lakini kama mtu hakosi katika usemi wake, basi, huyo ni mkamilifu, na anaweza kutawala nafsi yake yote.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3Sisi huwatia farasi lijamu kinywani mwao ili watutii; na kwa njia hiyo twaweza kuwaongoza kokote tunakotaka.
3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4Meli nazo pia, ingawa ni kubwa sana, na husukumwa na upepo mkali, huweza kugeuzwa kwa usukani mdogo sana, zikaelekea kokote nahodha anakotaka.
4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5Vivyo hivyo, ulimi, ingawa ni kiungo kidogo cha mwili, hujisifia makuu sana. Moto mdogo waweza kuteketeza msitu mkubwa.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6Hali 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.
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7Binadamu anaweza kuwafuga wanyama, na amefaulu kufuga viumbe vyote--wanyama wa mwituni, ndege, nyoka na viumbe vya baharini.
7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8Lakini hakuna mtu aliyeweza kuufuga ulimi. Ulimi ni kitu kiovu, hakitawaliki, na kimejaa sumu inayoua.
8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9Kwa ulimi sisi twamshukuru Bwana na Baba yetu. Kwa ulimi huohuo twawalaani watu, watu ambao wameumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu.
9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10Maneno ya laana na ya kusifia hutoka katika kinywa kimoja. Ndugu zangu, mambo haya hayapaswi kuwa hivyo.
10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11Je, chemchemi moja yaweza kutoa maji matamu na maji machungu pamoja?
11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12Ndugu zangu, je, mti wa mtini waweza kuzaa zeituni? Au, mzabibu waweza kuzaa tini? Chemchemi ya maji ya chumvi haiwezi kutoa maji matamu.
12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13Je, 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.
13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14Lakini ikiwa mioyo yenu imejaa wivu, chuki na ubinafsi, basi, msijisifu na kusema uongo dhidi ya ukweli.
14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15Hekima ya namna hiyo haitoki juu mbinguni; hekima hiyo ni ya ulimwengu, na ya kidunia, tena ni ya kishetani.
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16Maana popote palipo na wivu na ubinafsi hapo pana fujo na kila aina ya uovu.
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17Lakini 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.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18Uadilifu ni mazao ya mbegu ambazo wapenda amani hupanda katika amani.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.