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,

Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;

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

but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates 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 streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

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

The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives 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 the wicked shall not 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 Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.