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

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

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 warrior, so, are the children of 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.

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