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.

Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

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 up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.

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

See, children are an heritage of the LORD: and 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 are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the 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 that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.