Amahubo 127

1 Uba iNkosi ingayakhi indlu, basebenzela ize kiyo abayakhayo. Uba iNkosi ingawulondolozi umuzi, umlindi ulindela ize.

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 Kuyize kini ukuthi livuke ngovivi, lihlale kuze kube sebusuku, lidle ukudla kosizi; ngokunjalo iyamnika ubuthongo othandiweyo wayo.

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 Khangela, abantwana bayilifa leNkosi, isithelo sesizalo singumvuzo.

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

4 Njengemitshoko esandleni seqhawe, banjalo abantwana bobutsha.

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

5 Ibusisiwe indoda egcwalise umxhaka wayo ngabo; kabayikuyangeka ngoba bazakhuluma lezitha esangweni.

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