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 ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman wakes in vain.

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

In vain you rise early, and finish so late, and so eat sorrow’s bread; for he cares for his loved ones in their sleep.

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

Children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward.

4 Semiseve mumaoko emhare ndizvo zvakaita vanakomana voujaya.

Like arrows wielded by warriors, are the children of youth.

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

Happy the man who has filled his quiver full of them. He will not be ashamed when he speaks with enemies in the gate.