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.
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter.
2 Yango wana, namonaki ete bato oyo basila kokufa kala bazali na bango kutu malamu koleka bato oyo bazali nanu na bomoi.
Wherefore I praised the dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.
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.
Yes, better is [he] than both they, who hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is 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 labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5 Moto oyo azangi mayele akangaka maboko na ye mpe amibebisaka ye moko.
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
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] quietness, than both the hands full [with] toil and vexation of spirit.
7 Namonaki lisusu likambo mosusu ya pamba na se ya moyi:
Then I returned, and I saw 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 one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yes, it [is] a grievous labor.
9 Bato mibale bazali malamu koleka moto moko, pamba te bakozwa lifuti ya malonga na mosala na bango.
Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 Soki moko akweyi, moninga na ye akoki kosunga ye; kasi mawa na moto oyo akweyi mpe azangi moto oyo akosunga ye!
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him to rise.
11 Mpe lisusu, soki bato mibale balali esika moko, bayokaka moto; kasi moto oyo azali ye moko, ndenge nini akoki koyoka moto?
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]?
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 one prevaileth against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Elenge mobola ya mayele azali malamu koleka mokonzi ya mobange oyo azangi mayele mpe ayokaka toli te;
Better [is] a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14 ezala soki elenge mobali yango abotama mobola kati na mokili na ye to awuti kobima na boloko mpo na kokoma mokonzi.
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also [he that is] born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15 Namonaki bato nyonso ya bomoi, oyo bazali kotambola na se ya moyi kolanda elenge mobali lokola mokitani ya mokonzi.
I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
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.
[There is] no end of all the people, [even] of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
