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.

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

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

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

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

Like arrows wielded by warriors, 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 the man who has filled his quiver full of them. He will not be ashamed when he speaks with enemies in the gate.