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. 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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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