*Psalms 127

₁If the Lord does not build the house,

it will not help,

even if the builders work very hard to build it.

If the Lord does not guard the city,

it will not help,

even if the guards stay awake all the time.

₂It is useless if you get up early in the morning

and work hard until late at night to get food to live,

because the Lord takes care

of the people that He loves.

He gives them everything they need,

even while they sleep.

₃Remember that it is the Lord

who gives children to parents.

He is the One who gives them babies,

and they are gifts from God.

₄Children who are born

when their fathers are young

are like arrows in the hand of a soldier.

₅If the Lord gives someone many children,

He has given that person

a wonderful blessing.

That person will not be afraid

when he speaks with his enemies at the gate.