Psalm 127 - Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

A song from Solomon for going up to the Temple.

127 If it is not the Lord who builds a house,
the builders are wasting their time.
If it is not the Lord who watches over the city,
the guards are wasting their time.

2 It is a waste of time to get up early and stay up late,
trying to make a living.
The Lord provides for those he loves,
even while they are sleeping.

3 Children are a gift[a] from the Lord,
a reward from a mother’s womb.
4 A young man’s sons
are like the arrows in a soldier’s hand.
5 The man who fills his quiver with sons
will be very blessed.
He will never be defeated
when he opposes his enemy at the city gates.[b]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 127:3 gift Literally, “inheritance.” This usually means the land God gave to each family in Israel.
  2. Psalm 127:5 city gates This can refer to either a battle to protect the city or to a court case held in this public place.

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Psalm 127 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

127 A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked. 2 Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one s...
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Psalm 127 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

127 The song of degrees of Solomon. No but the Lord build the house; they that built it have travailed in vain. No but the Lord keepeth the city; he waketh in vain that keepeth it./But if the Lord build the house; they that built it have travailed in vain. But (if) the Lord keepeth the city; he wake...
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Psalm 127 - World English Bible (WEB)

A Song of Ascents. By Solomon.127 Unless Yahweh builds the house, they who build it labor in vain.Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.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.3 Behold, child...
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Psalm 127 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 127A song of Solomon for those journeying to worship.Psalm 127 is attributed to Solomon, underscoring the futility of human endeavor apart from God. It is similar in tone and theme to other wisdom literature.1 Unless the Eternal builds the house, those who labor to raise it will have worked fo...
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Psalm 127 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

He Gives Sleep to His ChildrenPsalm 1271 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.Unless Adonai builds the house, the builders labor in vain.Unless Adonai watches over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain.2 In vain you rise up early and stay up late, eating the bread of toil—for He provides for His belo...
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Psalm 127 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

God’s Blessings in the HomeA Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.127 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil; for[a] ...
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Psalm 127 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

God’s Blessings in the HomeA Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.127 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil; for[a] ...
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Psalm 127 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 127God’s Blessings in the HomeA Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil; for he g...
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Psalm 127 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 127God’s Blessings in the HomeA Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.(A)2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious toil, for he...
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Psalm 127 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 127A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.1 Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,anxio...
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Psalm 127 - New Life Version (NLV)

God Is Good to His People127 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders work for nothing. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the men who watch over it stay awake for nothing. 2 You rise up early, and go to bed late, and work hard for your food, all for nothing. For the Lord gives to His lov...
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Psalm 127 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Laboring and Prospering with the LordA Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.127 Unless the Lord builds the house,They labor in vain who build it;Unless (A)the Lord guards the city,The watchman stays awake in vain.2 It is vain for you to rise up early,To sit up late,To (B)eat the bread of sorrows;For so He gi...
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Psalm 127 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

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Psalm 127 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 127A song of ascents. Of Solomon.1 Unless the Lord builds(A) the house, the builders labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches(B) over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.2 In vain you rise early and stay up late,toiling for food(C) to eat— for he grants sleep(D) to[a] those he loves.(E) 3 Ch...
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Psalm 127 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

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Psalm 127 - New English Translation (NET)

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