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,

[God] is pleased with those who do not do what [MET] wicked people advise them to do, and who do not imitate the behavior of [MET] sinful people, and who do not join in with people who (ridicule/sneer at) [God].

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

Those whom God is pleased with delight in doing the things that he has instructed/taught us to do. They read and think about Yahweh’s requirements, 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.

They [constantly produce/do things that please God] just like fruit trees that have been planted along the banks of a stream produce fruit at the right time every year. [Like] trees that never wither, they succeed in everything that they do.

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

But wicked people are not like that! Wicked people are [as worthless as] chaff that is blown away by the wind.

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

Therefore, wicked people (will not be acquitted/will be condemned) [LIT] when [God] judges people, and furthermore, sinful people will not even be present when [God] gathers righteous people together,

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

because he guides and protects righteous people, but the path that the wicked walk on leads them to where they will be destroyed/punished [by God forever].