Nnwom 127

1 Ɔsoroforɔ dwom. Salomo deɛ. Sɛ Awurade ansi ɛdan no a, adansifoɔ no yɛ ho adwuma kwa. Sɛ Awurade ammɔ kuropɔn no ho ban a, awɛmfoɔ no wɛn kwa.

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 Ɔkwa ara na wosɔre anɔpahema na woyɛ adwumaden brɛ kɔsi anadwo, ansa na woanya wʼano aduane. Ɛyɛ kwa, ɛfiri sɛ, wɔn a ɔdɔ wɔn no, ɔma wɔda.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.

3 Mmammarima yɛ agyapadeɛ a ɛfiri Awurade hɔ, na mma yɛ akatua a ɛfiri noɔ.

Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

4 Mmammarima a wɔwo wɔn mmeranteberɛ mu no te sɛ agyan a ɛhyɛ ɔsraani nsam.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.

5 Nhyira ne onipa a nʼagyan kotokuo ayɛ ma. Wɔn anim rengu ase ɛberɛ a wɔahyia wɔn atamfoɔ wɔ kuro ɛpono ano.

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.