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,

BOOK FIRST: Happy is the man who walketh not in the council of the wicked, and standeth not in the way of sinners, and sitteth not in the seat of scorners;

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

But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who doth meditate in his law by 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.

And he shall be like a tree planted by rivulets of water, that yieldeth its fruit in its season, and the leaf of which doth not wither; and all that he may do shall prosper.

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

Not so the wicked; but they are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

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

Therefore shall the wicked not be able to stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

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

For the Lord regardeth the way of the righteous; but the way of the wicked leadeth to perdition.