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 [God prevails], to those who 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 nearly 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 struggles 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 free from burdens of 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 is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Miso na bango engengaka na bilongi etonda na mafuta; mitema na bango esalaka kaka mabongisi ya mabe;
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8 batiolaka mpe balobaka mabe, bagangelaka minyoko.
They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9 Minoko na bango etombokelaka Likolo, mpe lolemo na bango esakanelaka mokili.
They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Yango wana bato balandaka bango mpe bamelaka maloba na bango lokola mayi.
Therefore their people teshuvah ·completely return· to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
11 Balobaka: « Nzambe akoyeba ndenge nini? Ye-Oyo-Aleki-Likolo azali ata na boyebi? »
They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in haElyon [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. Being always at ease, 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!
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 day long have I been plagued, and punished 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 betrayed the generation of your children.
16 Tango nakanisaki mpo na koluka kososola, nayokaki pasi na motema
When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;
17 kino nakendeki na Esika ya bule ya Nzambe mpe nasosolaki ndenge nini bakosuka.
Until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
18 Solo, otielaka bango biloko ya moselu, okweyisaka bango kati na libebi.
Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
19 Ndenge nini babebisamaka mbala moko, bakomaka na suka, mpe somo elimwisaka bango!
How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away 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 wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21 Tango motema na ngai ezalaki kotomboka mpe molimo na ngai emitungisaki,
For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22 nasilaki mayele, nakomaki lokola zoba, nakomaki lokola nyama liboso na Yo.
I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23 Nzokande, nazalaka tango nyonso elongo na Yo; osimba ngai na loboko na ngai ya mobali.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
24 Otambolisaka ngai na nzela ya toli na Yo, mpe, na sima, okoyamba ngai kati na nkembo.
You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to kavod ·weighty 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 do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
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, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
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 come close to God. I have made 'Adonay Adonai [Lord Yahweh] my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
