< Psalms 127 >
1 A Song of degrees. Of Solomon. Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:
A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to lie down late, to eat the bread of sorrows: so to his beloved one he giveth sleep.
Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one sleep.
3 Lo, children are an inheritance from Jehovah, [and] the fruit of the womb a reward.
Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah [are] sons, A reward [is] the fruit of the womb.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.
As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So [are] the sons of the young men.
5 Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them. They shall not be ashamed when they speak with enemies in the gate.
O the happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!