Psalms 127

1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD shall build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD shall keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.

A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 [It is] vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved 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 loved ones.

3 Lo, children [are] a heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

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

4 As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man: so [are] children of the youth.

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

5 Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

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