Banzembo 1

1 Esengo na moto oyo alandaka te toli ya bato mabe, atelemaka te na nzela ya bato ya masumu, mpe avandaka te esika moko na batioli,

Happy is the man who does not go in the company of sinners, or take his place in the way of evil-doers, or in the seat of those who do not give honour to the Lord.

2 kasi asepelaka na mibeko ya Yawe mpe akanisaka yango butu mpe moyi.

But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and whose mind is on his law day and night.

3 Azali lokola nzete oyo balona pene ya mayi, oyo ebotaka mbuma na eleko na yango, mpe makasa na yango ekawukaka te; misala na ye nyonso etambolaka malamu.

He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time, whose leaves will ever be green; and he will do well in all his undertakings.

4 Kasi ezali bongo te mpo na bato mabe! Bazali lokola matiti ya kokawuka oyo mopepe epanzaka.

The evil-doers are not so; but are like the dust from the grain, which the wind takes away.

5 Yango wana bato mabe bakolonga te kotelema na kosambisama, mpe bato ya masumu bakowumelaka te kati na lisanga ya bato ya sembo.

For this cause there will be no mercy for sinners when they are judged, and the evil-doers will have no place among the upright,

6 Solo, Yawe ayebi nzela ya bato ya sembo, kasi nzela ya bato mabe ememaka na libebi.

Because the Lord sees the way of the upright, but the end of the sinner is destruction.