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 Canticle in steps: of Solomon. Unless the Lord has built the house, those who build it have labored in vain. Unless the Lord has guarded the city, he who guards it watches 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.

It is in vain that you rise before daylight, that you rise up after you have sat down, you who chew the bread of sorrow. Whereas, to his beloved, he will give sleep.

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

Behold, the inheritance of the Lord is sons, the reward is the fruit of the womb.

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

Like arrows in the hand of the powerful, so are the sons of those who have been cast out.

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 who has filled his desire from these things. He will not be confounded when he speaks to his enemies at the gate.