Psalms 127

1 Unless Jehovah builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, the watchman wake but in vain.

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 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil, for so he gives sleep to his beloved.

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 Lo, sons are a heritage of Jehovah, and the fruit of the womb is a reward.

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

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of youth.

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

5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

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