Banzembo 73
1 Nzembo ya Azafi. Solo, Nzambe azali malamu mpo na Isalaele, mpo na bato oyo bazali mitema peto.
Surely God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.
2 Nzokande mpo na ngai, etikalaki moke ete makolo na ngai eselumuka, etikalaki moke ete nakweya,
But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had well nigh slipped.
3 pamba te nazalaki kolula bato ya lofundu tango nazalaki komona kimia ya bato mabe.
For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 Kino na kufa na bango, bazalaka na mitungisi te, nzoto na bango ezalaka sembesembe.
For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.
5 Kati na bango, moko te amonaka pasi oyo bato nyonso bamonaka; babelaka te bokono oyo ezwaka bato.
They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men.
6 Yango wana, lolendo ekoma lokola mayaka na bakingo na bango, mpe makambo na kanza ekoma lokola elamba na bango.
Therefore pride is as a chain around their neck. Violence covers them as a garment.
7 Miso na bango engengaka na bilongi etonda na mafuta; mitema na bango esalaka kaka mabongisi ya mabe;
Their eyes stand out with fatness. They have more than heart could wish.
8 batiolaka mpe balobaka mabe, bagangelaka minyoko.
They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression. They speak loftily.
9 Minoko na bango etombokelaka Likolo, mpe lolemo na bango esakanelaka mokili.
They have set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Yango wana bato balandaka bango mpe bamelaka maloba na bango lokola mayi.
Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 Balobaka: « Nzambe akoyeba ndenge nini? Ye-Oyo-Aleki-Likolo azali ata na boyebi? »
And they say, How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?
12 Tala ndenge bato mabe bazalaka: tango nyonso, bazalaka na mitungisi te, mpe bomengo na bango emataka se komata.
Behold, these are the wicked, and those who always prosper. They have possessed wealth.
13 Solo, ezali kaka na pamba nde nabatelaki motema na ngai peto; ezali kaka na pamba nde nasukolaki maboko na ngai mpo ete nasala mabe te!
Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,
14 Mikolo nyonso, nanyokwamaka; mpe tongo nyonso, nazwaka etumbu.
for all the day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 Soki nalobi: « Nakoloba lokola bango, » wana nateki penza lokumu ya libota na Yo.
If I had said, I will speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of thy sons.
16 Tango nakanisaki mpo na koluka kososola, nayokaki pasi na motema
When I thought how I might understand this, it was too painful for me,
17 kino nakendeki na Esika ya bule ya Nzambe mpe nasosolaki ndenge nini bakosuka.
until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.
18 Solo, otielaka bango biloko ya moselu, okweyisaka bango kati na libebi.
Surely thou set them in slippery places. Thou cast them down to destruction.
19 Ndenge nini babebisamaka mbala moko, bakomaka na suka, mpe somo elimwisaka bango!
How they have become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 Ndenge ndoto elimwaka soki moto alamuki na pongi, Nkolo, olimwisaka lisolo ya bomoi na bango tango kaka otelemaka.
As a dream from awakening, O Lord, when thou waken, thou will despise their form.
21 Tango motema na ngai ezalaki kotomboka mpe molimo na ngai emitungisaki,
For my soul was grieved, and I was pricked in my heart.
22 nasilaki mayele, nakomaki lokola zoba, nakomaki lokola nyama liboso na Yo.
So I was brutish, and ignorant. I was a beast before thee.
23 Nzokande, nazalaka tango nyonso elongo na Yo; osimba ngai na loboko na ngai ya mobali.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee. Thou have held my right hand.
24 Otambolisaka ngai na nzela ya toli na Yo, mpe, na sima, okoyamba ngai kati na nkembo.
Thou will guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Kuna na Likolo, nani azali mpo na ngai soki Yo te? Mpe awa na mokili, nasepela na nani soki na Yo te?
Whom have I in heaven? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
26 Nzoto na ngai ekoki kobeba, mpe motema na ngai ekoki kolemba; kasi Nzambe azali Libanga mpe libula na ngai mpo na tango nyonso.
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Bato nyonso oyo bazali mosika na Yo bakokufa; obebisaka bato nyonso oyo batosaka Yo te.
For, lo, those who are far from thee shall perish. Thou have destroyed all those who go a whoring from thee.
28 Kasi mpo na ngai, ezali malamu kozala pene ya Nzambe. Nakomisi Nkolo Yawe ebombamelo na ngai, mpo na kopanza sango ya misala na Yo nyonso.
But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have made the lord Jehovah my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.
