Banzembo 127

1 Nzembo ya Salomo. Nzembo ya mobembo mpo na kokende na Tempelo ya Yawe. Soki Yawe atongi ndako te, batongi ndako bazali kosala mosala ya pamba; soki Yawe akengeli engumba te, bakengeli bazali kosala na pamba.

A Song of Degrees. Except the Lord build the house, they that build labor in vain: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.

2 Ezali na pamba nde, bino mpe, bolamukaka na tongo makasi, bolalaka noki te mpe bosalaka makasi mpo na kozwa bilei; pamba te Nzambe apesaka bilei yango kaka na balingami na Ye, wana bazali nanu kolala pongi.

It is vain for you to rise early: you rise up after resting, you that eat the bread of grief; while he gives sleep to his beloved.

3 Bana bazali libula kowuta na Yawe, mpe kobota bana ezali lifuti.

Behold, the inheritance of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.

4 Ndenge makonga ezali kati na maboko ya mobundi bitumba, ndenge wana mpe bana oyo moto aboti na bolenge na ye bazali.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of those who were outcasts.

5 Esengo na moto oyo atondisi makonga kati na ebombelo na ye ya makonga! Akokufa soni ata moke te tango akosamba elongo na banguna na ye na ekuke ya engumba.

Blessed is the man who shall satisfy his desire with them: they shall not be ashamed when they shall speak to their enemies in the gates.