Psalms 127

1 Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. BY SOLOMON. If YHWH does not build the house, Its builders have labored at it in vain, If YHWH does not watch a city, A watchman has awoken in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,

Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He gives sleep to His beloved one.

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

Behold, sons [are] an inheritance of YHWH, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So [are] the sons of the young men.

5 Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.

O the blessedness of the man Who has filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!