Bwana asipoijenga nyumba Waijengao wafanya kazi bure. Bwana asipoulinda mji Yeye aulindaye akesha bure.
> Unless Yahweh builds the house, They labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, The watchman guards it in vain.
Kazi yenu ni bure, mnaoamka mapema, Na kukawia kwenda kulala, Na kula chakula cha taabu; Yeye humpa mpenzi wake usingizi.
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.
Tazama, wana ndio urithi wa Bwana, Uzao wa tumbo ni thawabu.
Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
Kama mishale mkononi mwa shujaa, Ndivyo walivyo wana wa ujanani.
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.
Heri mtu yule Aliyelijaza podo lake hivyo. Naam, hawataona aibu Wanaposema na adui langoni.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.