Halelu 127

1 I NA aole o Iehova e kukulu i ka hale, Hooikaika make hewa ka poe nana e kukulu: Ina aole o Iehova e malama i ke kulanakauhale, Make hewa ka makaala ana o ka poe malama.

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:

2 He mea wale ia oukou ke ala i kakahiaka nui Mahope o ka hoomaha ana, E ai i ka ai o ka hookaumahaia; No ka mea, pela oia e hoomoe ai i kona poe aloha.

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.

3 Aia hoi! o na keiki, he hooilina lakou no Iehova mai; A o ka hua o ka opu, he uku no ia.

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

4 E like me na pua ma ka lima o ke kanaka ikaika, Pela no na keiki a ka poe opiopio.

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

5 Pomaikai ke kanaka ke piha kana aapua ia lakou; Aole lakou e hilahila, No ka mea, e olelo no lakou i na enemi ma ka puka pa.

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