Yobo 28
1 Ezali na esika oyo batimolaka palata, mpe na esika oyo bapetolaka wolo.
Though there is, for silver, a vein, and a place for the gold they refine;
2 Ebende ewutaka na mabele, mpe libanga oyo balekisaka na moto epesaka motako.
Iron, out of the ore, is taken, and, stone, poureth out copper;
3 Moto asilisaka molili, alukaka kino na se, na bisika ya se penza, libanga kati na molili oyo eleki makasi,
An end, hath one set to the darkness, and, into every extremity, is, he, making search, for the stone of darkness and death-shade;
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.
He hath sunken a shaft, away from the inhabitants; Places forsaken by the foot, they hang down, away from men, sway to and fro;
5 Mabele epai wapi bilei ewutaka ebongwani na se na yango lokola nde moto ezikisi yango.
As for the earth, out of it, cometh forth bread, and, under it, is upturned, as it were fire;
6 Mabanga ya safiri ewutaka na mabanga makasi ya mabele, mpe putulu ya wolo ezalaka kati na mabele.
The place of sapphires, are the stones thereof, and it hath, nuggets of gold: —
7 Ndeke moko te oyo eliaka misuni eyebi nzela na yango, miso ya mpongo moko te emoni yango,
A path, the vulture hath not discerned, nor hath the eye of the hawk scanned it;
8 nyama ya zamba etia nanu makolo na yango kuna te, mpe nkosi etambola nanu kuna te.
Ravenous beasts have not made a track thereof, neither hath the lion marched thereon:
9 Moto abetaka loboko na ye na likolo ya libanga ya makasi mpe apikolaka ngomba longwa na misisa,
Upon the flint, hath he thrust forth his hand, He hath turned up mountains by the roots;
10 atimolaka nzela kati na mabanga, mpe miso na ye emonaka bomengo na yango nyonso,
Among the rocks, hath he cut open streams, and, every precious thing, hath his eye seen:
11 akawusaka mayi ya bibale mpe abimisaka na pole biloko oyo ebombama.
From trickling, he restraineth, rivers, and, some hidden thing, is he bringing out to light.
12 Kasi bakoki komona bwanya wapi? Mayele evandaka wapi?
Yet where can, Wisdom, be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13 Moto ayebaka motuya na yango te, pamba te bakoki komona yango te kati na mokili ya bato ya bomoi.
Mortal knoweth not the way thereof, neither can it be found in the land of the living;
14 Libulu ya mozindo elobi: « Ezali kati na ngai te; » mpe ebale monene elobi: « Ezali epai na ngai te. »
The resounding deep, hath said, It is not in me! And, the sea, hath said, It is not with me!
15 Bakoki kosomba yango te na motuya ya libanga ya wolo to na bakilo ya palata;
Pure gold cannot be given in its stead, neither can silver he weighed as the value thereof;
16 bakoki te kosomba yango na wolo ya Ofiri to na mabanga ya talo ya Onikisi to mabanga ya talo ya Safiri;
It cannot be put into the scales against the gold of Ophir, with costly onyx, or sapphire;
17 wolo to diama ekoki te kokokana na yango, bakoki kozwa yango te na motuya ya sani ya wolo ya kitoko.
Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can, the exchange thereof, be a vessel of pure gold,
18 Mayaka ya Karayi mpe ya Jasipe ezali na motuya te liboso na yango. Motuya ya bwanya eleki pawuni ya talo.
Coral or crystal, cannot be mentioned, Yea, a possession, is wisdom, above red coral;
19 Topaze ya Kushi ekoki kokokana na yango te, mpe bakoki te kosomba yango ata na wolo ya peto.
The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, Against purest gold, can it not be weighed.
20 Boye, bwanya ewutaka wapi? Mayele evandaka wapi?
Whence then cometh, wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?
21 Ebombami mosika na miso ya bato nyonso ya bomoi, ebombami mpe mosika na miso ya bandeke ya likolo.
Seeing it hath been hid from the eyes of every living thing, and, from the bird of the heavens, hath it been concealed?
22 Libebi mpe kufa elobi: « Kaka sango na yango nde ekomaki na matoyi na biso. »
Destruction and death, have said, With our ears, have we heard the report thereof!
23 Nzambe kaka nde ayebi nzela na yango, Ye nde kaka ayebi esika bwanya evandaka.
GOD, understandeth the way thereof, and, he, discerneth the place thereof;
24 Pamba te miso na Ye emonaka kino na suka ya mokili, mpe amonaka nyonso oyo ezali na se ya Lola.
For, he, unto the ends of the earth, directeth his look, under all the heavens, he seeth;
25 Tango apesaki makasi na mopepe mpe atiaki mondelo na mayi,
Making, for the wind, a weight, and, the waters, he proved by measure,
26 tango atiaki mobeko mpo na mvula mpe afungolaki nzela mpo na kake mpe mikalikali,
When he made, for the rain, a decree, and a way for the lightning of thunders,
27 amonaki bwanya mpe akumisaki yango, andimaki yango mpe amekaki yango.
Then, saw he it, and declared it, He settled it, yea also he searched it out;
28 Bongo alobaki na moto: « Kotosa Nkolo, yango nde bwanya! Koboya mabe, yango nde mayele! »
And said to the son of earth, Lo! the reverence of the Lord, that, is wisdom, and, to avoid evil, is understanding.
