Psalms 127

1 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:

Unless Adonai builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Adonai watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 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.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his yadid ·beloved· ones.

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

Behold, children are a heritage of Adonai. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so, are the children of young men.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

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

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.