Amahubo 137

1 Ngasemifuleni yaseBhabhiloni sahlala phansi sakhala lapho sasikhumbula iZiyoni.

BY the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 Khona lapho ezihlahleni zemidubu saphanyeka amachacho ethu,

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

3 ngoba khonapho abathumbi bethu bacela izingoma kithi, labahlukuluzi bethu bafuna izingoma zentokozo; bathi, “Sihlabeleleni enye yezingoma zaseZiyoni!”

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

4 Singazihlabela kanjani izingoma zikaThixo siselizweni lemzini na?

How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

5 Aluba ngikukhohlwa, Oh Jerusalema, isandla sami sokunene kasilahlekelwe yibungcitshi baso.

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 Sengathi ulimi lwami lunganamathela elwangeni lomlomo wami uba ngingakukhumbuli wena, uba ngingathathi iJerusalema njengentokozo yami ephezu konke.

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Khumbula, Oh Thixo, ama-Edomi akwenzayo mhla iJerusalema ithunjwa. “Lidilizeni,” baklabalala, “lidilizeni kanye lezisekelo zalo!”

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

8 Wena Ndodakazi yaseBhabhiloni, oqunyelwe ukubhubha, ubusisiwe lowo okuphindiselayo ngalokho okwenzileyo kithi.

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

9 Ubusisiwe lowo othatha insane zakho, azisakazele ematsheni.

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.