詩篇 127

1 若不是上主興工建屋，建築的人是徒然勞苦；若不是上主護守城堡，守城的人白白驚醒護守。

If people are building a house without [knowing whether] it is Yahweh’s [will to build it], they are building it in vain. [Similarly], if Yahweh does not protect a city, it is useless for guards/sentries to stay awake [to tell people if their enemies come to attack it].

2 您們很早起床盡屬徒然，每夜坐到深更圖謀打算，為了求食經過多少辛酸；唯獨天主賜所愛者安眠。

It is [also] useless to arise very early and go to sleep late at night in order that you can work hard [all day] to [earn money to buy] food, because Yahweh gives food to those whom he loves.

3 的確子女全是上主的賜予，胎兒也全是他的報酬。

Children are a gift [that comes to parents] from Yahweh; they are a reward/blessing from him.

4 年青少壯所生的子嗣，有如勇士手中的箭矢。

If a man has sons while he is still young, [when they grow up, they will be able to help him defend his family] like [SIM] a soldier [can defend himself if] he has [a bow and] arrows in his hand.

5 裝滿自己箭囊的人，真有福氣，城門前爭辯，不受羞恥。

A man [who has many sons] is [very] happy, like [MET] [a soldier who has many arrows] in his quiver is very happy. If a man [with his many grown sons is taken] by his enemies to the place where they decide matters, his enemies will never be able to defeat that man, [because his sons will help to defend him].