Banzembo 73
1 Nzembo ya Azafi. Solo, Nzambe azali malamu mpo na Isalaele, mpo na bato oyo bazali mitema peto.
Truly Elohim is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean 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 at the foolish, 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 bands 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; neither 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 compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth 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 are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 Minoko na bango etombokelaka Likolo, mpe lolemo na bango esakanelaka mokili.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Yango wana bato balandaka bango mpe bamelaka maloba na bango lokola mayi.
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 Balobaka: « Nzambe akoyeba ndenge nini? Ye-Oyo-Aleki-Likolo azali ata na boyebi? »
And they say, How doth El 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, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
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!
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 Mikolo nyonso, nanyokwamaka; mpe tongo nyonso, nazwaka etumbu.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 Soki nalobi: « Nakoloba lokola bango, » wana nateki penza lokumu ya libota na Yo.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 Tango nakanisaki mpo na koluka kososola, nayokaki pasi na motema
When I thought to know 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 El; then understood I their end.
18 Solo, otielaka bango biloko ya moselu, okweyisaka bango kati na libebi.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 Ndenge nini babebisamaka mbala moko, bakomaka na suka, mpe somo elimwisaka bango!
How are they brought into desolation, as 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 when one awaketh; so, O YHWH, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Tango motema na ngai ezalaki kotomboka mpe molimo na ngai emitungisaki,
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 nasilaki mayele, nakomaki lokola zoba, nakomaki lokola nyama liboso na Yo.
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as 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 hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Otambolisaka ngai na nzela ya toli na Yo, mpe, na sima, okoyamba ngai kati na nkembo.
Thou shalt 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 but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside 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 faileth: but Elohim is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 Bato nyonso oyo bazali mosika na Yo bakokufa; obebisaka bato nyonso oyo batosaka Yo te.
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that 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 Elohim: I have put my trust in the Sovereign YHWH, that I may declare all thy works.
