< Ba-Ebre 11 >
1 Nzokande kondima ezali ndanga ya kozwa biloko oyo tozali kolikya epai ya Nzambe, mpe kobika lokola nde tosili kozwa biloko yango atako tozali komona yango te.
It is because people trust [God] that they are sure that they will receive the things that they confidently expect [God to give them]. They are also certain [that they will see those things], though no one sees them yet.
2 Ezali mpo na kondima nde Nzambe asepelaki na bato ya kala.
It was because our ancestors trusted in God that they pleased him.
3 Ezali na kondima nde tososolaka ete mokili esalemaki na nzela ya Liloba na Nzambe, mpe ete biloko oyo emonanaka esalemaki na nzela ya biloko oyo emonanaka te. (aiōn )
It is because we trust in God that we understand that he formed the universe by commanding [it to exist]. The result is that the things that we see were not made from things that already existed. (aiōn )
4 Mpo na kondima, Abele abonzelaki Nzambe mbeka ya malamu koleka oyo ya Kayina. Mpo na kondima, Nzambe atatolaki na tina na ye ete azali moto ya sembo, pamba te Nzambe andimaki makabo na ye. Mpo na kondima, Abele alobaka kino lelo atako asila kokufa.
It was because [Adam’s son] Abel trusted God that he sacrificed something better to God than what [his older brother] Cain offered to God. Because Abel did that, when God spoke well about what Abel sacrificed, God declared that Abel was righteous. And although Abel is dead, we still learn from him [about trusting God].
5 Mpo na kondima, Enoki amemamaki kino epai ya Nzambe. Boye, atikalaki komona kufa te. Bamonaki ye lisusu te, pamba te Nzambe azwaki ye. Liboso na Enoki konetolama, Makomi etatolaki na tina na ye ete asepelisaki Nzambe.
It was because Enoch believed [God that God] took him [up to heaven]. The result was that he did not die. No one found him, because he was taken up {[God] had removed him} from the earth [to heaven]. Before [God] took him away, [he] testified that Enoch pleased him well.
6 Nzokande, moto moko te akoki kosepelisa Nzambe soki azangi kondima, pamba te moto oyo azali kopusana pene ya Nzambe asengeli kondima ete Nzambe azali mpe afutaka bato oyo balukaka Ye.
It is possible for people to please God only if they trust God, because anyone who wants to come to God must first believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek [to know] him.
7 Mpo na kondima, Noa atosaki Nzambe mpe atongaki masuwa mpo na lobiko ya libota na ye, sima na ye koyoka makebisi ya Nzambe na tina na makambo oyo ezalaki nanu komonana te. Mpo na kondima, Noa amonisaki mabe ya mokili mpe akomaki mokitani ya bosembo oyo ezwamaka na nzela ya kondima.
It was because Noah trusted [God] that after he was warned by God {after [God] warned him} about [a flood that] had not yet happened, Noah [showed that he] revered God by building a huge ship to save his family. By doing that, he [showed all the people who did not believe him] [MTY] [that they deserved to be condemned] {[that God would] condemn them}. He was someone whom God declared to be righteous because of his trusting in God.
8 Mpo na kondima, Abrayami atosaki Nzambe oyo abengaki ye mpe atindaki ye kokende na mokili oyo asengelaki kozwa na sima lokola libula. Atosaki mpe akendeki atako ayebaki te epai azalaki kokende.
It was because Abraham trusted God that when he was told to go {when [God] told him to go}, he obeyed [God], he left [his own country], and went to a place that God would give him. Abraham left his own country, even though he did not know where he would be going.
9 Mpo na kondima, avandaki lokola mopaya kati na mokili oyo Nzambe alakaki ye; azalaki kovanda na bandako ya kapo lokola Izaki mpe Jakobi oyo mpe bazwaki elaka ya ndenge moko na ye.
It was because Abraham trusted God that he lived as though he was a foreigner in the land that [God] had promised to him. Abraham lived in tents, and his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob did also. God promised to give to Isaac and Jacob the same things that he promised to give Abraham.
10 Pamba te Abrayami azalaki kozela engumba oyo ezali na miboko oyo ebukanaka te, engumba oyo Ye moko Nzambe azali Mobongisi mpe Motongi na yango.
Abraham was waiting to live in a city [in heaven] that would exist forever [MET]. It was a city that God is building [DOU].
11 Mpo na kondima, Sara mpe azwaki makoki ya komema zemi atako mibu na ye ya kobota esilaki koleka wuta kala, pamba te andimaki ete Ye oyo apesaki ye elaka akosaka te.
It was because Abraham trusted God that God gave Abraham strength so that he [was] able to produce a son. Even though his wife Sarah was past the age [when women bear children], [God] promised [that he would give her a son], and Abraham considered that God would do what he promised to do.
12 Yango wana, wuta na moto oyo akomaki mpaka mpe pene ya kokufa, bato babotamaki ebele penza lokola minzoto ya likolo mpe lokola zelo ya libongo ya ebale, oyo bakoki kutu kotanga te.
So, although Abraham was also too old to have children, so many people descended from that one man that they were as numerous as the stars in the sky and are as countless as the grains of sand along the seashore, [just like God promised him].
13 Bato nyonso wana bakufaki kati na kondima mpe batikalaki kozwa te biloko oyo Nzambe alakaki bango, kasi bamonaki yango kaka na mosika mpe bapesaki yango mbote. Bandimaki ete bazali solo bapaya mpe baleki nzela kati na mokili.
It was while they still trusted in God that all those people died. Even though they had not yet received the things that God had promised to give them, [it was as though] they saw those things in a distance. They were glad [to know] about what God promised. It was as though they admitted that they were not from this earth, but that they were only here temporarily.
14 Bato oyo balobaka ete bazali bapaya mpe baleki nzela kati na mokili batalisaka polele ete bazali koluka mokili na bango.
As for those people who talk like that, they clearly show that they long for [a place that will become] their true native land.
15 Mpe soki bakanisaki mokili oyo batikaki, mbele balingaki kozonga lisusu kuna.
If they had been thinking about [that place being] the place from which they had come, they would have taken the opportunity to return there.
16 Kasi sik’oyo bazali koluka mokili ya kitoko penza, elingi koloba mokili ya Likolo. Yango wana Nzambe azalaka na soni te tango babengaka Ye « Nzambe na bango, » pamba te abongisela bango engumba moko ya kitoko.
But, instead, they desired a better [place in which to live]; that is, they desired [a home] in heaven. So God has prepared a city for them to live [with him], and he is pleased [LIT] for them to say that he is their God.
17 Mpo na kondima, Abrayami akabaki Izaki lokola mbeka tango Nzambe amekaki ye motema; amilengelaki mpo na kokaba mwana na ye wana kaka moko, atako azalaki na elaka.
It was because Abraham trusted [God] that he [was ready to] kill his son Isaac as a sacrifice when [God] tested him. This same man to whom [God] promised [to give] ([a son/many descendants]) was going to sacrifice [that same son], the only son [whom his own wife had borne]!
18 Nzambe alobaki na ye: « Ezali na nzela ya Izaki nde okozwa bakitani. »
It was to Abraham that God said, “It is [only] from Isaac that I will consider your family to descend.”
19 Abrayami azalaki na elikya ete Nzambe azali na makoki ya kosekwisa Izaki longwa na bakufi, yango wana Nzambe azongiselaki ye mwana na ye: yango ezalaki kaka elilingi.
Abraham considered that [to fulfill that promise], God could make [Isaac] live again [even if] he had died [after Abraham sacrificed him]! The result was that when Abraham did receive Isaac back [after God told him not to harm Isaac], it was as though he received him back even after he died.
20 Mpo na kondima, Izaki apambolaki Jakobi mpe Ezawu mpo na lolenge ya bomoi oyo basengelaki kobika na mikolo oyo esengelaki koya.
It was because Isaac trusted God that he [prayed that after he died, God would] bless [his] sons Jacob and Esau.
21 Mpo na kondima, wana Jakobi akomaki pene ya kokufa, apambolaki mwana moko na moko ya Jozefi mpe agumbamaki na koyekamela songe ya lingenda.
It was because Jacob trusted God that, as he was dying, he [prayed that God would] bless each of the sons of [his own son Joseph]. He worshipped God as he leaned upon his walking stick [before he died].
22 Mpo na kondima, wana Jozefi akomaki na suka ya bomoi na ye, asakolaki kobima ya bana ya Isalaele longwa na Ejipito mpe apesaki mitindo na tina na mikuwa na ye.
It was because Joseph trusted God that, when he was about to die [in Egypt], he anticipated the time when the Israelis would leave Egypt; and he instructed [that] his people [should carry] his bones [with them when they] ([left Egypt/returned to Canaan]).
23 Mpo na kondima, baboti ya Moyize babombaki mwana na bango, Moyize, sanza misato sima na mbotama na ye, pamba te bamonaki ete azali kitoko mingi mpe babangaki te mobeko ya mokonzi.
It was because Moses’ father and mother trusted God that they hid [their son] for three months shortly after he was born, because they saw that he was so beautiful. They were not afraid of [disobeying] what the king of Egypt had commanded, [namely, that all the Jewish male babies must be killed].
24 Mpo na kondima, wana Moyize akomaki mokolo, aboyaki ete babenga ye « mwana mobali ya mwana mwasi ya Faraon. »
The daughter of the [king, whom they called] Pharaoh, [raised] Moses, but when he had grown up, it was because he trusted God that he refused to [accept the privileges that would have been his if people] considered that he was (the son of the king’s daughter/the king’s own grandson).
25 Aponaki komona pasi elongo na bato ya Nzambe, na esika ya kosepela mwa tango moke na bomoi ya masumu;
He decided that it was better for others to mistreat him for a time along with the Israeli people, than to temporarily enjoy living sinfully [in the King’s palace].
26 pamba te amonaki ete kotiolama lokola Klisto ezali malamu koleka bomengo ya Ejipito, mpo ete azalaki kotalela lifuti oyo ezali koya.
This is because he decided that if he suffered for the Messiah, it would be worth far more [in God’s sight] than his owning all the treasures of Egypt [that he would receive as Pharaoh’s heir. He decided that] because he looked forward to the time when [God would give him] an [eternal] reward.
27 Mpo na kondima, Moyize abangaki te kanda ya mokonzi mpo na kobima longwa na Ejipito, mpe atikalaki ngwi na mokano na ye lokola nde azali komona Nzambe oyo amonanaka te.
It was because he trusted God that he left Egypt. He was not afraid that the king would be angry [because of his doing that]. He (kept going/did not turn back) because [it was as though] he kept seeing [God], whom no one can see.
28 Mpo na kondima, asepelaki feti ya Pasika mpe apesaki mitindo ete bapakola makila na bikuke mpo ete anjelu mobomi aboma te bana mibali ya liboso ya bana ya Isalaele.
It was because Moses believed [that God would save his own people] that he instituted the [festival called] Passover. He did that [by commanding that the people should kill lambs and] sprinkle their blood [on their] doorposts. They did that in order that [the angel who] causes people to die would not kill [EUP] the oldest male Israelites [when he killed the oldest sons in each Egyptian family].
29 Mpo na kondima, bato ya Isalaele bakatisaki ebale monene ya Barozo lokola nde bazali kotambola na mabele ya kokawuka; kasi tango bato ya Ejipito bamekaki kosala lokola bango, bazindaki.
It was because they trusted God that [when] the [Israelite] people walked through [where] the Red Sea [had been, it was] as [though they walked] on dry land! But, when the [army of] Egypt also attempted to [cross that same water], they drowned, because [the sea came back and flooded them]!
30 Mpo na kondima, bamir ya Jeriko ekweyaki tango bana Isalaele batambolaki zingazinga na yango mikolo sambo.
It was because the [Israeli] people trusted God that the walls around Jericho [city] collapsed, after the Israelis marched around the walls for seven days.
31 Mpo na kondima, Raabi, mwasi ya ndumba, akufaki te elongo na bato oyo bazalaki kotosa Nzambe te, pamba te ayambaki banongi na boboto.
Rahab [had been] a prostitute, but because she trusted God, she did not perish with those [inside Jericho] who disobeyed [God. Joshua sent some spies] into the city [in order] to find ways to destroy it, but God saved her because she welcomed those spies [peaceably].
32 Bongo naloba lisusu nini? Pamba te nakozanga tango soki nabandi koloba na tina na Jedeon, Baraki, Samison, Jefite, Davidi, Samuele mpe basakoli.
I do not know what more I should say [RHQ] [about others who trusted in God]. It would take too much time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the [other] prophets.
33 Mpo na kondima, balongaki bokonzi ebele, batambolisaki makambo na bosembo mpe bamonaki bilaka ya Nzambe kokokisama mpo na bango; bakangaki ata minoko ya bankosi,
It was because they trusted God that some of them [did great things for him]. Some conquered lands ruled by powerful men. Some ruled [Israel] and justly [punished those men and nations who rebelled against God]. Some obtained [from God] the things that he promised to give them [MTY].
34 balongaki nguya ya moto oyo ezalaki kopela makasi mpe babikaki na kufa ya mopanga. Atako bazalaki bato ya bolembu, bakomaki makasi na bitumba mpe bakimisaki mampinga ya basoda ya bapaya.
Some forced lions to keep their mouths shut. Some escaped from being destroyed by fire. Some of those people escaped from [being killed with] a sword [MTY]. Some of those [people who trusted God] were made strong {became mighty} again after they had once been weak. Some became powerful when they fought wars. Some caused armies [that came from foreign lands] to run away from them.
35 Mpo na kondima, basi bamonaki bato na bango, oyo bakufaki kozonga lisusu na bomoi. Bato mosusu bandimaki ata konyokwama mpe baboyaki ete basikola bango, mpo bayebaki ete bakosekwa mpe bakozala na bomoi oyo ezali kitoko koleka.
Some women [who trusted God] received [their relatives] back again when [God] ([made them live again after they had died/raised them from the dead]). But [others who trusted God] were tortured until they died. They were tortured because they refused to agree when [their captors said, “We will] release you [if you deny that you believe in God.” They refused to do that], because they wanted to live with God forever, which is better than [continuing to live on earth] after having almost died.
36 Bamosusu batiolamaki, babetamaki fimbu, batiamaki minyololo mpe babwakamaki na boloko;
Other [people who trusted God] were mocked; [some had their backs] cut [open by being struck] with leaded whips. Some were chained and put in prison.
37 bamosusu babomaki bango na mabanga, bakataki bango na biteni mibale na si, babomaki bango na mopanga, bakomaki na bomoi ya koyengayenga mpe bakomaki kolata baposo ya bameme mpe ya bantaba; bakelelaki na nyonso, banyokolaki bango mpe bayokisaki bango pasi:
[Some of] those believers were stoned to death {People [killed some of those believers by] throwing stones at them}. Others were cut completely in two. Others were killed with swords. Others of these people who trusted God wandered around the land [wearing garments made only of] skins from sheep and goats. They did not have any money. They were continually oppressed and tormented {People continuously oppressed them and tormented them}.
38 ya solo, mokili etikalaki lisusu malamu te mpo na bango, bakomaki koyengayenga kati na bisobe, na bangomba, kati na bibombamelo ya mabanga mpe na mabulu oyo ezalaka na se ya mabele.
[The people on earth who caused those who trusted in God to suffer were so bad that] they did not deserve [to live with people who trusted God. Some who trusted God] wandered in deserts and on mountains. Some lived in caves and in other [large] holes in the ground.
39 Kati na bango nyonso wana, atako Nzambe asepelaki na bango mpo na kondima na bango, moko te azwaki biloko oyo Nzambe alakaki bango.
Although all these people were commended [by God] {[God] commended all these people} because they trusted him, God did not give them all that he promised them [while they were alive].
40 Nzambe asalaki mabongisi ya kitoko penza mpo na biso, pamba te alingaki ete bakoma bato ya kokoka nzela moko na biso.
God knew ahead of time that what he would give us and them [later] would be better than giving [them immediately what he promised]. What God intends is that only when they and we are together will we have all that God intends us to have.