A Ma῾alot Poem. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Żiyyon, we were like men in a dream.

A song of ascents. When the L rd returns the captivity of Zion [from Bavel], [(they shall say concerning all of their past afflictions:)] "We have been as dreamers."

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.

Then our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with song. Then it shall be said among the nations: "It is the L rd [(and not chance)] that has wrought greatly with these."

The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

The L rd, [indeed,] wrought greatly with us — we were happy.

Bring back our captivity, O Lord, like the streams in the Negev.

Return, O L rd, our [present] captivity, [and we will be] like [the welcomers of] water-courses in a dry land.

They who sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Those who sow in tears [(in a dry land)] reap in song [(when the waters come)].

He who goes weeping on his way, bearing a bag of seed, shall come back with a joyful shout, carrying his sheaves.

He walks along, weeping, the bearer of the seed-sack — he will come forth in song, bearing his sheaves. [Thus, Israel sows charity before the L rd in tears in exile — and they shall reap it in song when they are rewarded in time to come.]