Banzembo 101

1 Nzembo ya Davidi. Nakoyemba bolingo mpe bosembo; nakoyembela nde Yo, Yawe.

Of David, a psalm. If kindness and justice I sing, making melody to you, Lord.

2 Nakolanda na bokebi nzela ya bato oyo bazangi pamela. Okoya epai na ngai tango nini? Kati na ndako na ngai, nakotambola malamu na motema ezangi pamela.

I would look to the way that is blameless, and make it my own. Within my own house I would walk with an innocent heart.

3 Nakotala eloko moko te ya mabe; nayinaka misala ya bato oyo bazangi kondima, ekoki kokangama na ngai te.

I would never direct my eyes to a thing that is base. The impulse to stray I abhor it shall not cling to me.

4 Mosika na ngai, motema ya kilikili; naboyi kosala mabe.

Far from me be perverseness of heart, or kinship with evil.

5 Nakosala ete avanda kimia, moto oyo apanzaka, na nkuku, basango ya lokuta mpo na kobebisa lokumu ya baninga. Nakokoka te kotala moto ya lolendo mpe moto ya lofundu.

Who slanders their neighbour in secret, I bring them to silence: haughty looks and proud hearts I will not abide.

6 Nakopona nde bato ya sembo kati na mokili mpo ete bavanda pembeni na ngai; moto na etamboli ezanga pamela nde akozala mosali na ngai.

I will favour the true in the land, they shall live in my court. Those who walk in a way that is blameless will be my attendant.

7 Kati na ndako na ngai, mokosi akovanda te; liboso na ngai, mokosi akotelema te.

No one will live in my house who practises guile. No one that speaks a lie will abide in my presence.

8 Tongo nyonso, nakosala ete bato nyonso ya misala mabe kati na mokili bavanda kimia; nakolongola na engumba ya Yawe bato nyonso ya mabe.

Morn by morn I will wholly wipe out all the bad in the land, and cut off from the Lord’s own city all workers of evil.