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.

If people are building a house without [knowing whether] it is Yahweh’s [will to build it], they are building it in vain. [Similarly], if Yahweh does not protect a city, it is useless for guards/sentries to stay awake [to tell people if their enemies come to attack it].

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.

It is [also] useless to arise very early and go to sleep late at night in order that you can work hard [all day] to [earn money to buy] food, because Yahweh gives food to those whom he loves.

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

Children are a gift [that comes to parents] from Yahweh; they are a reward/blessing from him.

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

If a man has sons while he is still young, [when they grow up, they will be able to help him defend his family] like [SIM] a soldier [can defend himself if] he has [a bow and] arrows in his hand.

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.

A man [who has many sons] is [very] happy, like [MET] [a soldier who has many arrows] in his quiver is very happy. If a man [with his many grown sons is taken] by his enemies to the place where they decide matters, his enemies will never be able to defeat that man, [because his sons will help to defend him].