Psalms 127

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

A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless Yahweh builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 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.

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

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

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

4 Like arrows wielded by warriors, are the children of youth.

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

5 Happy the man who has filled his quiver full of them. He will not be ashamed when he speaks with enemies in the gate.

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.