Masalimo 127

1 Nyimbo yoyimba pokwera ku Yerusalemu. Salimo la Solomoni. Yehova akapanda kumanga nyumba, omanga nyumbayo agwira ntchito pachabe. Yehova akapanda kulondera mzinda, mlonda akanangolondera pachabe.

A Song of Ascents. Solomon’s. If, Yahweh, build not the house, in vain, have the builders of it toiled thereon, If, Yahweh, watch not the city, in vain, hath the watchman kept awake:

2 Mumangodzivuta nʼkulawirira mmamawa ndi kusagona msanga madzulo, kuvutikira chakudya choti mudye, pakuti Iye amapereka tulo kwa amene amawakonda.

Vain for you, —to be early in rising, to be late in lying down, to be eating the bread of wearisome toil, So, would he give his beloved one sleep.

3 Ana ndiye cholowa chochokera kwa Yehova, ana ndi mphotho yochokera kwa Iye.

Lo! an inheritance from Yahweh, are children, A reward, the fruit of the womb:

4 Ana a pa unyamata ali ngati mivi mʼmanja mwa munthu wankhondo.

As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so, are the children of young men.

5 Wodala munthu amene motengera mivi mwake mwadzaza. Iwo sadzachititsidwa manyazi pamene alimbana ndi adani awo pa zipata.

How happy the man who hath filled his quiver with them! They will not be ashamed, but will speak with enemies in the gate.