Mapisarema 127

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

A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. If the Lord doesn't build the house, the work of the builders is futile. If the Lord doesn't guard the city, the work of the guards is pointless.

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

It's useless to get up early in the morning and go to work, and stay late into the evening, worrying about earning enough to eat, when the Lord gives rest to those he loves.

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

Children certainly are a gift from the Lord, for a family is a blessing.

4 Semiseve mumaoko emhare ndizvo zvakaita vanakomana voujaya.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of a young man.

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

Happy is the father who fills his quiver with them! Such fathers will not be embarrassed when they confront their enemies at the city gate.