Psalms 127

1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

He waiata; he pikitanga. Na Horomona. Ki te kore e hanga e Ihowa te whare, he maumau mahi ta nga kaihanga; ki te kore e tiakina e Ihowa te pa, maumau mataara noa te kaitiaki.

2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.

He maumau to koutou ara wawe, to koutou noho roa i te po, ta koutou kai i te taro o te mauiui: ko tana moe tena ka homai nei ki tana e aroha ai.

3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

Na he taonga pumau na Ihowa nga tamariki, ko nga hua ano o te kopu tana utu.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.

E rite ana ki nga pere i te ringaringa o te tangata kaha te whanau o te taitamarikitanga.

5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.

Ka hari te tangata kua ki nei tana papa pere i a ratou: e kore ratou e whakama, ina korero ki o ratou hoariri i te kuwaha.