Psalms 127

1 A Song of Degrees. Except the Lord build the house, they that build labour in vain: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.

Unless Adonai builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Adonai watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise early: ye rise up after resting, ye that eat the bread of grief; while he gives sleep to his beloved.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his yadid ·beloved· ones.

3 Behold, the inheritance of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.

Behold, children are a heritage of Adonai. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of those who were outcasts.

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

5 Blessed is the man who shall satisfy his desire with them: they shall not be ashamed when they shall speak to their enemies in the gates.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.