Amahubo 129

1 Kanengi bangihluphile kusukela ebutsheni bami, katsho-ke uIsrayeli,

[I say that] my enemies have (afflicted/caused trouble for) me ever since I was young. [Now I ask you, my fellow] Israelis, to repeat those same words:

2 kanengi bangihluphile kusukela ebutsheni bami, kanti kabangehlulanga.

“Our enemies have afflicted us since our nation began, but they have not defeated us!

3 Abalimi balima emhlana wami, bayenza yaba mide imifolo yabo.

[Our enemies struck us with whips] that cut into our backs [MET] like a [farmer uses a] plow to cut deep furrows into the ground.”

4 INkosi ilungile, iqumile intambo zababi.

[But] Yahweh is righteous, and he has freed [me] from being a slave [MTY] of wicked [people].

5 Kabayangeke babuyiselwe emuva bonke abazonda iZiyoni.

I wish/hope that all those who hate Jerusalem/Israel will be ashamed because of being defeated.

6 Kababe njengotshani ephahleni, obubuna bungakakhuli,

I hope/wish that they will be [of no value], like grass that grows on the roofs of houses that dries up and does not grow tall;

7 ovunayo angagcwalisi ngabo isandla sakhe, lalowo obopha izithungo isifuba sakhe.

[as a result] no one [cuts it and] puts it in bundles and carries it away.

8 Labadlulayo bangatsho ukuthi: Isibusiso seNkosi kasibe phezu kwenu; siyalibusisa ebizweni leNkosi.

People who pass by [and see men harvesting grain usually greet them by saying to them], “We wish/hope that Yahweh will bless you!” But this will not happen [to those who hate Israel]. We, acting as Yahweh’s representatives, bless you [Israelis.]