Banzembo 120

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

A song of ascents. In distress I cried to the Lord, and he answered me.

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

“Deliver me, Lord, from the lip that is false and the tongue that is crafty.”

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

What shall he give to you, you tongue that is crafty? What yet shall he give to you?

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

Arrows of warrior, sharpened, with glowing broom coals together.

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

Woe is me that I sojourn in Meshech, that I live by the tents of Kedar.

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

Already too long have I dwelt among those who 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: but when I speak of it, they are for war.