Chapter 127
Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Chapter 128
Blessed is everyone that fears the Lord; that walks in His ways. 2 For thou shall eat the labor of thine hands: happy shall thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. 4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the Lord. 5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shall see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 6 Yea, thou shall see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.
Chapter 129
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: 2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. 4 The Lord is righteous: He has cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. 6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers afore it grows up: 7 Wherewith the mower fills not his hand; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom. 8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of the Lord.
