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 the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord 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 sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

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

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: 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 are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the 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 ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.