< Psalms 127 >
1 A Song of Degrees. Except the Lord build the house, they that build labor in vain: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.
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.
2 It is vain for you to rise early: you rise up after resting, you that eat the bread of grief; while he gives sleep to his beloved.
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,
3 Behold, the inheritance of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.
Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.
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 the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.
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.
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.