Banzembo 73
1 Nzembo ya Azafi. Solo, Nzambe azali malamu mpo na Isalaele, mpo na bato oyo bazali mitema peto.
“BOOK III. A psalm of Asaph.” Truly God is good to Israel, —To those who are pure in heart.
2 Nzokande mpo na ngai, etikalaki moke ete makolo na ngai eselumuka, etikalaki moke ete nakweya,
Yet my feet almost gave way; 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 proud, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 Kino na kufa na bango, bazalaka na mitungisi te, nzoto na bango ezalaka sembesembe.
For they have no pains even to their death; Their bodies are in full health.
5 Kati na bango, moko te amonaka pasi oyo bato nyonso bamonaka; babelaka te bokono oyo ezwaka bato.
They have not the woes of other men, Neither are they smitten 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 encircleth their neck as a collar; Violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Miso na bango engengaka na bilongi etonda na mafuta; mitema na bango esalaka kaka mabongisi ya mabe;
From their bosom issueth their iniquity; The designs of their hearts burst forth.
8 batiolaka mpe balobaka mabe, bagangelaka minyoko.
They mock, and speak of malicious oppression; Their words are haughty;
9 Minoko na bango etombokelaka Likolo, mpe lolemo na bango esakanelaka mokili.
They stretch forth their mouth to the heavens, And their tongue goeth through the earth;
10 Yango wana bato balandaka bango mpe bamelaka maloba na bango lokola mayi.
Therefore his people walk in their ways, And there drink from full fountains.
11 Balobaka: « Nzambe akoyeba ndenge nini? Ye-Oyo-Aleki-Likolo azali ata na boyebi? »
And they say, “How doth God know? How can there be knowledge with 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 ungodly! Yet they are ever prosperous; they heap up 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; In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 Mikolo nyonso, nanyokwamaka; mpe tongo nyonso, nazwaka etumbu.
For every day have I been smitten; Every morn have I been chastened.
15 Soki nalobi: « Nakoloba lokola bango, » wana nateki penza lokumu ya libota na Yo.
If I should resolve to speak like them, Surely I should be treacherous to the family of thy children.
16 Tango nakanisaki mpo na koluka kososola, nayokaki pasi na motema
So, when I studied to know this, It was painful to my eyes;
17 kino nakendeki na Esika ya bule ya Nzambe mpe nasosolaki ndenge nini bakosuka.
Until I went into the sanctuaries of God, And considered what was their end.
18 Solo, otielaka bango biloko ya moselu, okweyisaka bango kati na libebi.
Behold! thou hast set them on slippery places; Thou castest them down into unseen pits.
19 Ndenge nini babebisamaka mbala moko, bakomaka na suka, mpe somo elimwisaka bango!
How are they brought to desolation in a moment, And utterly consumed with sudden destruction!
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, Thou, O Lord! when thou awakest, wilt make their vain show a derision.
21 Tango motema na ngai ezalaki kotomboka mpe molimo na ngai emitungisaki,
When my heart was vexed And I was pierced in my reins,
22 nasilaki mayele, nakomaki lokola zoba, nakomaki lokola nyama liboso na Yo.
Then was I stupid and without understanding; I was like one of the brutes before thee.
23 Nzokande, nazalaka tango nyonso elongo na Yo; osimba ngai na loboko na ngai ya mobali.
Yet am I ever under thy care; By my right hand thou dost hold me up.
24 Otambolisaka ngai na nzela ya toli na Yo, mpe, na sima, okoyamba ngai kati na nkembo.
Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And at last receive me in 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 whom on earth do I love in comparison with 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.
Though my flesh and my heart fail, God 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 who are far from thee perish; Thou destroyest all who estrange themselves 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 put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, That I may declare all thy works.
