Yobo 4
1 Elifazi, moto ya Temani, azwaki maloba mpe alobaki:
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:
2 « Soki moto moko ameki koloba na yo ata liloba moko, boni, okotomboka mpo na yango te? Kasi nani akoki penza kokanga motema mpe kozanga maloba?
If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Kanisa nanu ndenge ozalaki koteya bato ebele, ndenge ozalaki kolendisa bato oyo balembaki!
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Maloba na yo ezalaki kolendisa bato oyo bazalaki kotepatepa, mpe oyo mabolongo na bango ezalaki kolemba.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
5 Kasi awa sik’oyo pasi ekomeli yo, olembi na yo! Awa pasi ebeti yo, okomi na yo koyoka somo!
But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary; it toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.
6 Boni, kondima na yo epai ya Nzambe esengeli te kozala likonzi na yo, mpe bosembo na yo esengeli te kosimba elikya na yo?
Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
7 Kanisa nanu: Nani akotikala kokufa te mpo ete asalaka mabe te? Esika nini bato ya sembo bakotikala kokufa te?
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
8 Kolanda makambo oyo ngai nasili komona, bato oyo basalaka mabe, mpe ba-oyo balonaka minyoko, babukaka mpe kaka mabe lokola mbuma;
According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow mischief, reap the same.
9 bakufaka na mopepe ya Nzambe mpe basilaka na mopepe ya kanda na Ye.
By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed.
10 Nkosi ekoki na yango koganga, mpe mwana ya nkosi ekoki kotia makelele ndenge elingi, kasi Nzambe abukaka minu ya nkosi.
The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth — yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 Nkosi ekufaka mpo na kozanga nyama ya kolia, mpe bana ya nkosi ya mwasi epanzanaka.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
12 Liloba moko eyelaki ngai na nkuku, mpe matoyi na ngai eyokaki yango na se penza:
Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
13 kati na bandoto ya butu, na tango bato bazwaka pongi makasi,
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14 kobanga mpe somo ekangaki ngai mpe eningisaki mikuwa na ngai nyonso;
Fear came upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were made to shake.
15 molimo moko elekaki liboso ya elongi na ngai lokola mopepe, mpe suki ya moto na ngai etelemaki.
Then a spirit passed before my face, that made the hair of my flesh to stand up.
16 Molimo yango etelemaki wana, kasi nalongaki te kososola soki ezali nini; elilingi yango etelemaki liboso ya miso na ngai, mpe nayokaki mongongo moko koloba na se penza:
It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; a form was before mine eyes; I heard a still voice:
17 ‹ Boni, moto akoki solo koleka Nzambe na bosembo to akoki solo koleka Mokeli na ye na bule?
'Shall mortal man be just before God? Shall a man be pure before his Maker?
18 Soki Nzambe atielaka basali na Ye motema te, soki kutu amonaka mabunga epai ya ba-anjelu na Ye,
Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants, and His angels He chargeth with folly;
19 mpo na nini te epai ya bato oyo basalema na mabele, ba-oyo bazali kaka putulu mpe bakoki kofinafina bango lokola mitsopi?
How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
20 Kobanda na tongo kino na pokwa, bakataka-kataka bango na biteni; bakufaka mpo na libela, mpe moto ata moko te alandelaka likambo na bango;
Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered; they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 basinga oyo esimbaka bandako na bango ya kapo epikolamaka na mbalakata, mpe bakufaka ndenge wana bazanga bwanya. ›
Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'
