Mosakoli 4
1 Natalaki lisusu mpe namonaki minyoko nyonso oyo ezali na se ya moyi: Namonaki mpinzoli ya banyokolami, mpe moto akobondisa bango azalaki te; nguya ezalaki na ngambo ya banyokoli, mpe moto akobondisa bango azalaki te.
I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
2 Yango wana, namonaki ete bato oyo basila kokufa kala bazali na bango kutu malamu koleka bato oyo bazali nanu na bomoi.
And I praised the dead rather than the living:
3 Mpe moto oyo atikala nanu kozala te azali malamu koleka bango mibale, pamba te atikala nanu komona te misala mabe oyo esalemaka na se ya moyi.
And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4 Namoni ete pasi nyonso oyo bato bamonaka na mosala mpe lokumu oyo bazwaka na misala na bango, ewutaka kaka na bilulela ya moto liboso ya moninga na ye. Wana mpe ezali pamba, ezali lokola moto azali kolanda mopepe.
Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
5 Moto oyo azangi mayele akangaka maboko na ye mpe amibebisaka ye moko.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
6 Loboko moko oyo etondi na kimia ezali malamu koleka maboko mibale oyo etondi na misala makasi mpe na kolanda mopepe.
Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
7 Namonaki lisusu likambo mosusu ya pamba na se ya moyi:
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
8 Ezalaki na moto moko oyo azalaki kaka ye moko, azalaki ata na mwana to ndeko te; azalaki kopema te na mosala na ye ya makasi, kasi bomengo na ye etikalaki te kotondisa miso na ye. Mpe atikalaki komituna te: « Nani oyo ngai nazali komonela pasi boye? Mpe mpo na nini nazali komipimela bomengo? » Wana mpe lisusu ezali pamba: ezali mosala ya mpunda!
There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
9 Bato mibale bazali malamu koleka moto moko, pamba te bakozwa lifuti ya malonga na mosala na bango.
It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
10 Soki moko akweyi, moninga na ye akoki kosunga ye; kasi mawa na moto oyo akweyi mpe azangi moto oyo akosunga ye!
If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
11 Mpe lisusu, soki bato mibale balali esika moko, bayokaka moto; kasi moto oyo azali ye moko, ndenge nini akoki koyoka moto?
And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
12 Soki moto azali ye moko, monguna akoki kolonga ye; kasi soki bato bazali mibale, bakoki kotelemela monguna. Kamba ya basinga misato ekatanaka noki te.
And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
13 Elenge mobola ya mayele azali malamu koleka mokonzi ya mobange oyo azangi mayele mpe ayokaka toli te;
Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
14 ezala soki elenge mobali yango abotama mobola kati na mokili na ye to awuti kobima na boloko mpo na kokoma mokonzi.
Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
15 Namonaki bato nyonso ya bomoi, oyo bazali kotambola na se ya moyi kolanda elenge mobali lokola mokitani ya mokonzi.
I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
16 Ata soki bato oyo bazalaki kosepela na ye bazalaki ebele koleka, kasi bato oyo bakoya sima bakoki koboya ye. Yango mpe ezali pamba, ezali lokola moto azali kolanda mopepe.
The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
