< Psalms 127 >

1 “A song of the degrees for Solomon.” Unless the Lord do build the house, in vain labor they that build on it: unless the Lord guard the city, in vain is the watchman wakeful.
A Song of Degrees. Except the Lord build the house, they that build labour in vain: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.
2 It is in vain for you to be early in rising, to be late in sitting up, eating the bread of painful toils; [for] so doth he give unto his beloved during sleep.
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.
3 Lo, children are an inheritance from the Lord: a reward is the fruit of the body.
Behold, the inheritance of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of those who were outcasts.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver filled with them: they shall not be put to shame, when they do speak with the enemies in the gate.
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.

< Psalms 127 >