Mapisarema 137
1 Panzizi dzeBhabhironi takagarapo tikachema, patakarangarira Zioni.
When we [had been taken to] Babylonia, [far from Jerusalem], we sat down by the rivers there, and we cried when we thought about [the temple on] Zion [Hill in Jerusalem].
2 Pamikonachando apo ndipo patakaturika mbira dzedu,
On the willow trees [alongside the rivers] we hung our harps [because we did not want to play them any more because we were very sad].
3 nokuti ipapo avo vakatitapa vakatikumbira nziyo, vatambudzi vedu vakatigombedzera kuti tiimbe nziyo dzomufaro, vakati, “Tiimbirei rumwe rwiyo rweZioni!”
The [soldiers] who had captured us [and taken us to Babylonia] told us to sing [for them]; they told us to (entertain them/make them happy), saying, “Sing for us one of the songs [that you previously sang in] Jerusalem!”
4 Tingaimba seiko nziyo dzaJehovha tiri munyika yokumwe?
But [we thought], “We [are sad because we have been punished by Yahweh and brought to this] foreign land, so we cannot [RHQ] sing songs about Yahweh while we are here!”
5 Kana ndikakukanganwa, iwe Jerusarema, ruoko rwangu rworudyi ngarukanganwe umhizha hwarwo.
If I forget about Jerusalem [APO], Iet my right hand wither [with the result that I will be unable to play my harp]
6 Rurimi rwangu ngarunamatire kumusoro kwomuromo wangu, kana ndikasakurangarira iwe, kana ndisingafungi Jerusarema, iwo mufaro wangu wapamusoro-soro.
Do not allow me to sing again [MTY], if I forget about Jerusalem, if I do not consider that Jerusalem causes me to be more joyful than anything else does.
7 Haiwa Jehovha, rangarirai henyu zvakaitwa navaEdhomu, pazuva rakawa Jerusarema. Vakati, “Rikoromorei! Rikoromorei kusvikira panheyo dzaro!”
Yahweh, [punish] the people of the Edom people-group for what they did on the day that the army of Babylon captured Jerusalem. Do not forget that they said, “Tear down all the buildings! Destroy them completely! Leave only the foundations!”
8 Haiwa Mwanasikana weBhabhironi, watongerwa kuparadzwa, achafara munhu uyo achatsiva kwauri zvawakaita kwatiri,
And you people of Babylon, you will certainly be destroyed! Those who punish you in return for what you did to us will be happy;
9 iye achatora pwere dzako agodzirovera pamatombo.
they will take your babies and completely smash them on the rocks.
