Psalms 127

1 Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:

1 If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing.

1A gradual canticle. Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to lie down late, to eat the bread of sorrows: so to his beloved one he giveth sleep.

2It is of no use for you to get up early, and to go late to your rest, with the bread of sorrow for your food; for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep.

2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

3 Lo, children are an inheritance from Jehovah, [and] the fruit of the womb a reward.

3See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.

3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, round about thy table.

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

4Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.

4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

5 Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them. They shall not be ashamed when they speak with enemies in the gate.

5Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.

5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayst thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

6(not in this translation)

6(not in this translation)

6And mayst thou see thy children's children, peace upon Israel.