Zabbuli 127

1 Oluyimba nga balinnya amadaala. Lwa Sulemaani. Mukama bw’atazimba nnyumba, abo abagizimba bazimbira bwereere. Mukama bw’atakuuma kibuga, abakuumi bateganira bwereere.

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 Oteganira bwereere bw’okeera mu makya n’okola, ate n’olwawo n’okwebaka ng’okolerera ekyokulya; kubanga Mukama abaagalwa be abawa otulo.

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 Abaana aboobulenzi kya bugagga okuva eri Mukama; era abaana mpeera gy’agaba okuva gy’ali.

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

4 Ng’obusaale bwe bubeera mu mukono gw’omulwanyi, n’abaana abazaalibwa mu buvubuka bw’omuntu bwe bali bwe batyo.

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

5 Alina omukisa omuntu oyo ajjuzza ensawo ye n’obusaale, kubanga tebaliswazibwa; balyolekera abalabe baabwe mu mulyango omunene.

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