Look! I want you to understand

our misfortune today, compatriot:

we're amazed they compare achievements!

Won't you stop vying for status?

May the dumb speak in Africa!

The dumb spoke in Decapolis,

the eyes of the blind were opened in Jericho:

may our blind regain their sight today.

May leaders emerge in Africa,

stop living on bones and scraps

and cry out here at the prospect

of Africa's children arrayed in rank.

My people, there's pain in the truth:

this regime controls our lives today.

It thrashed us through trust in the scriptures,

saying “Lay your blankets aside!”

See all those killers and thieves:

what I exposed knocked you flat.

You were stoned by strangers

who splash in the Jordan without crossing over.

The truth must be treated fairly,

the truth must be heard by both sides:

the truth is there in the scriptures

and also within our blankets.

May our leaders see eye to eye,

stop putting each other down:

efforts not weapons win battles.

Tell me, fellow, what you are doing.

Day after day you ask for donations.

To what end? Please tell me, fellow.

Our silver-tongued speeches droned on and on,

dulled our senses, set us snoring.

While Jehovah opens his arms to us,

while Jehovah beckons us close to him!

This is the point: you were made by the word,

so we'll learn of your efforts on judgement day.

Peace!

Efforts not weapons win battles:

stop vying for status today.

Aren't you afraid that you stripped the nation,

left it naked with only its hands for cover?

Unity's our only strength,

it alone can nourish us:

all enemies will be crushed by it,

and the pillars of heaven shattered.

How long must we keep on repeating:

the dumb spoke in Decapolis,

the eyes of the blind were opened in Jericho:

may our blind regain their sight today.

Peace to you! Heavens!