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 ascents, of Solomon. Unless Yahweh builds the house, they work uselessly, those who build it. Unless Yahweh guards the city, the watchman stands guard uselessly.

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 useless for you to rise up early, to come home late, or to eat the bread of hard work, for Yahweh provides for his beloved as they sleep.

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

See, children are a heritage from Yahweh, and the fruit of the womb is a reward from him.

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

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.

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.

How blessed is the man that has his quiver full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts his enemies in the gate.