Waiata 126

1 He waiata; he pikitanga. I ta Ihowa whakahokinga mai i nga pononga o Hiona i rite matou ki te hunga e moehewa ana.

A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

2 Katahi to matou mangai ka ki i te kata, to matou arero hoki i te waiata: katahi ka korerotia i roto i nga tauiwi, He nui nga mahi a Ihowa ki a ratou.

Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

3 He mea nunui a Ihowa i mea ai mo tatou, a e koa ana tatou.

The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

4 E Ihowa, whakahokia matou i te whakarau: kia pera me nga awa o te tonga.

Restore our captives, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

5 Ko te hunga e rui ana i runga i te roimata, ka kokoti i runga i te hari.

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.

6 Ahakoa haere tangi atu ia me te kawe i ana purapura hei whakatokanga; tera ia e haere hari mai ano me te mau mai i ana paihere.

He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.