Banzembo 1

1 Esengo na moto oyo alandaka te toli ya bato mabe, atelemaka te na nzela ya bato ya masumu, mpe avandaka te esika moko na batioli,

“BOOK I” Happy the man who walketh not in the counsel of the unrighteous, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers;

2 kasi asepelaka na mibeko ya Yawe mpe akanisaka yango butu mpe moyi.

But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, And who meditateth on his precepts day and night.

3 Azali lokola nzete oyo balona pene ya mayi, oyo ebotaka mbuma na eleko na yango, mpe makasa na yango ekawukaka te; misala na ye nyonso etambolaka malamu.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaves also do not wither: All that he doeth shall prosper.

4 Kasi ezali bongo te mpo na bato mabe! Bazali lokola matiti ya kokawuka oyo mopepe epanzaka.

Not so the unrighteous; They are like chaff, which the wind driveth away.

5 Yango wana bato mabe bakolonga te kotelema na kosambisama, mpe bato ya masumu bakowumelaka te kati na lisanga ya bato ya sembo.

Therefore the wicked shall not stand in judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the just.

6 Solo, Yawe ayebi nzela ya bato ya sembo, kasi nzela ya bato mabe ememaka na libebi.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked leadeth to ruin.