1 U nless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

2 I t is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; For so he giveth unto his beloved sleep.

3 B ehold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 L ike arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.

5 H ow blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.