Mapisarema 127

1 Rwiyo rworwendo rwaSoromoni. Kana Jehovha asingavaki imba, vavaki vayo vanoshandira pasina. Kana Jehovha asingachengeti guta, varindi vanomira vakarinda pasina.

A Song of degrees. Of Solomon. Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:

2 Hazvina maturo kumuka mangwanani nokunonoka kuvata, uchitambudzikira zvokudya, nokuti anopa hope kuna vaanoda.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to lie down late, to eat the bread of sorrows: so to his beloved one he giveth sleep.

3 Vanakomana inhaka inobva kuna Jehovha, vana mubayiro unobva kwaari.

Lo, children are an inheritance from Jehovah, [and] the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Semiseve mumaoko emhare ndizvo zvakaita vanakomana voujaya.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

5 Akaropafadzwa murume ane goba rizere navo. Havanganyadziswi pavanokakavadzana navavengi vavo pasuo.

Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them. They shall not be ashamed when they speak with enemies in the gate.