Banzembo 137

1 Ezalaki biso ya kovanda pembeni ya bibale ya Babiloni, tozalaki kolela na tozalaki kokanisa Siona.

By the riuers of Babel we sate, and there wee wept, when we remembred Zion.

2 Todiembikaki mandanda na biso na banzete ya pepiliye ya etuka yango.

Wee hanged our harpes vpon the willowes in the middes thereof.

3 Kuna, bato oyo bamemaki biso na bowumbu bazalaki kosenga biso banzembo; mpe banyokoli na biso bazalaki kosenga biso ete tozala na esengo. Bazalaki koloba: « Boyembela biso banzembo ya Siona! »

Then they that ledde vs captiues, required of vs songs and mirth, when wee had hanged vp our harpes, saying, Sing vs one of the songs of Zion.

4 Tokoyemba banzembo ya Yawe ndenge nini na mabele ya bapaya?

Howe shall we sing, said we, a song of the Lord in a strange land?

5 Oh Yelusalemi, soki nabosani yo, wana tika ete loboko na ngai ya mobali elemba!

If I forget thee, O Ierusalem, let my right hand forget to play.

6 Soki natiki penza kokanisa yo, Yelusalemi, soki natie yo te liboso ya esengo nyonso, wana tika ete lolemo na ngai ekangama kati na monoko na ngai!

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleaue to the roofe of my mouth: yea, if I preferre not Ierusalem to my chiefe ioy.

7 Yawe, kobosana te bato ya Edomi oyo basekaki Yelusalemi na mokolo na yango ya mawa; bazalaki koganga: « Bobuka yango, bobuka kino na miboko na yango! »

Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Ierusalem, which saide, Rase it, rase it to the foundation thereof.

8 Babiloni, engumba kitoko, yo oyo okobebisama solo, esengo na moto oyo akozongisela yo mabe na mabe oyo osalaki biso!

O daughter of Babel, worthy to be destroyed, blessed shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast serued vs.

9 Esengo na moto oyo akokanga bana na yo mpe akonika bango na libanga!

Blessed shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy children against the stones.