Nnwom 127

1 Ɔsoroforo dwom. Salomo de. Sɛ Awurade ansi ɔdan no a, adansifo no yɛ ho adwuma kwa. Sɛ Awurade ammɔ kuropɔn no ho ban a, awɛmfo no wɛn kwa.

Unless Adonai builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Adonai watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 Sɛ wosɔre anɔpahema na wotena kosi anadwo, na woyɛ adwumaden pɛ wʼano aduan a, ɛyɛ ɔkwa, efisɛ wɔn a ɔdɔ wɔn no, ɔma wɔn wɔ wɔn nnae mu.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his yadid ·beloved· ones.

3 Mma yɛ agyapade a efi Awurade hɔ, na mma yɛ akatua a efi no.

Behold, children are a heritage of Adonai. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 Mma a wɔwo wɔn mmabun bere mu no te sɛ agyan a ɛhyɛ ɔsraani nsam.

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

5 Nhyira ne onipa a nʼagyan kotoku ayɛ ma. Nʼanim rengu ase bere a wahyia nʼatamfo wɔ kurow pon ano no.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.