Banzembo 120

1 Nzembo ya mobembo tango bazalaki kokende na Tempelo ya Yawe. Kati na pasi na ngai, nabelelaki Yawe, mpe ayanolaki ngai.

“A psalm of steps.” In my distress I called upon the LORD, And he answered me.

2 Oh Yawe, kangola ngai wuta na maboko ya bakosi mpe wuta na lolemo ya lokuta!

O LORD! deliver me from lying lips, From the deceitful tongue!

3 Yo, lolemo ya lokuta, Yawe akopesa yo nini, akofuta yo nini?

What profit to thee, Or what advantage to thee, is the false tongue?

4 Akobeta yo na makonga ya elombe ya bitumba, oyo ezali ya songe, elongo na makala ya moto ya nzete ya nzube.

It is like the sharp arrows of the mighty man; Like coals of the juniper.

5 Mawa na ngai, mpo ete navandi lokola mopaya kati na Mesheki, kati na bandako ya kapo ya Kedari.

Alas for me, that I sojourn in Mesech, That I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

6 Navandaki tango molayi kati na bato oyo balingaka kimia te.

Too long have I dwelt With them that hate peace!

7 Ngai, nazali moto ya kimia; kasi soki kaka nameki koloba na tina na kimia, bango baponaka mbala moko bitumba.

I am for peace; yet, when I speak for it, They are for war.