Yobo 28
1 Ezali na esika oyo batimolaka palata, mpe na esika oyo bapetolaka wolo.
There are silver mines and places where gold is refined.
2 Ebende ewutaka na mabele, mpe libanga oyo balekisaka na moto epesaka motako.
Iron is extracted from the earth and copper is smelted from its ore.
3 Moto asilisaka molili, alukaka kino na se, na bisika ya se penza, libanga kati na molili oyo eleki makasi,
Miners take lamps into the darkness underground and search for ore as far as they can go in the shadows and the gloom.
4 atimolaka libulu mosika ya esika oyo bato bavandaka, na bisika oyo makolo ya bato ekomaka te, mosika penza na bato, adiembelaka mosika ya bato nyonso.
They dig a mineshaft far from where people live or anyone ever goes. They swing from ropes that hang in the pits.
5 Mabele epai wapi bilei ewutaka ebongwani na se na yango lokola nde moto ezikisi yango.
Bread comes from the earth, but underneath it looks as if it has been turned upside-down by fire.
6 Mabanga ya safiri ewutaka na mabanga makasi ya mabele, mpe putulu ya wolo ezalaka kati na mabele.
Here the rocks contain lapis lazuli and the dust contains gold.
7 Ndeke moko te oyo eliaka misuni eyebi nzela na yango, miso ya mpongo moko te emoni yango,
No birds of prey can see these paths, no falcon's eye can perceive.
8 nyama ya zamba etia nanu makolo na yango kuna te, mpe nkosi etambola nanu kuna te.
No wild beasts have passed that way; the lion has not walked there.
9 Moto abetaka loboko na ye na likolo ya libanga ya makasi mpe apikolaka ngomba longwa na misisa,
Miners attack the hard rock; they overturn the roots of mountains.
10 atimolaka nzela kati na mabanga, mpe miso na ye emonaka bomengo na yango nyonso,
They tunnel through the rock, looking carefully for every precious stone.
11 akawusaka mayi ya bibale mpe abimisaka na pole biloko oyo ebombama.
They dam the sources of the rivers, and bring to light what is hidden.
12 Kasi bakoki komona bwanya wapi? Mayele evandaka wapi?
But where can wisdom be found? Where is the place to gain understanding?
13 Moto ayebaka motuya na yango te, pamba te bakoki komona yango te kati na mokili ya bato ya bomoi.
Human beings do not know the way to wisdom; it is not found among the living.
14 Libulu ya mozindo elobi: « Ezali kati na ngai te; » mpe ebale monene elobi: « Ezali epai na ngai te. »
The deep waters say, ‘It's not here,’ and the sea says, ‘It's not here either.’
15 Bakoki kosomba yango te na motuya ya libanga ya wolo to na bakilo ya palata;
It cannot be bought with gold; nor can it be purchased with silver.
16 bakoki te kosomba yango na wolo ya Ofiri to na mabanga ya talo ya Onikisi to mabanga ya talo ya Safiri;
Its value cannot be measured, even with the gold of Ophir; it is more precious than onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 wolo to diama ekoki te kokokana na yango, bakoki kozwa yango te na motuya ya sani ya wolo ya kitoko.
Gold or fine glass cannot compare with wisdom; it cannot be exchanged for gold jewelry.
18 Mayaka ya Karayi mpe ya Jasipe ezali na motuya te liboso na yango. Motuya ya bwanya eleki pawuni ya talo.
Coral and crystal are not worth mentioning; the price of wisdom is far above rubies.
19 Topaze ya Kushi ekoki kokokana na yango te, mpe bakoki te kosomba yango ata na wolo ya peto.
Topaz from Ethiopia can't compare with it; it cannot be bought with the purest gold.
20 Boye, bwanya ewutaka wapi? Mayele evandaka wapi?
So where does wisdom come from? Where is the place to gain understanding?
21 Ebombami mosika na miso ya bato nyonso ya bomoi, ebombami mpe mosika na miso ya bandeke ya likolo.
Wisdom is hidden from the sight of all living things, even the birds of the air cannot see it.
22 Libebi mpe kufa elobi: « Kaka sango na yango nde ekomaki na matoyi na biso. »
Abaddon and Death say, ‘We've only heard a rumor of it.’
23 Nzambe kaka nde ayebi nzela na yango, Ye nde kaka ayebi esika bwanya evandaka.
Only God understands the path to wisdom; he knows where it is found.
24 Pamba te miso na Ye emonaka kino na suka ya mokili, mpe amonaka nyonso oyo ezali na se ya Lola.
For he looks to the very end of the earth; he sees everything under heaven.
25 Tango apesaki makasi na mopepe mpe atiaki mondelo na mayi,
He decided how strong the wind should blow, and regulated the waters.
26 tango atiaki mobeko mpo na mvula mpe afungolaki nzela mpo na kake mpe mikalikali,
He set a limit for the rain and made a path for the lightning.
27 amonaki bwanya mpe akumisaki yango, andimaki yango mpe amekaki yango.
Then he considered wisdom. He examined it, gave it his approval, and declared it good.
28 Bongo alobaki na moto: « Kotosa Nkolo, yango nde bwanya! Koboya mabe, yango nde mayele! »
He said to humankind, ‘To reverence the Lord is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
