Psalms 127

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

5 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.

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