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.

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake 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 retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

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

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

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

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s 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.

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