Psalms 127

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

6(not in this translation)