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

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 Vanakomana inhaka inobva kuna Jehovha, vana mubayiro unobva kwaari.

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

4 Semiseve mumaoko emhare ndizvo zvakaita vanakomana voujaya.

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

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

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