1 U nless the Lord builds the house, its builders work for nothing. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the men who watch over it stay awake for nothing.

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

2 Y ou rise up early, and go to bed late, and work hard for your food, all for nothing. For the Lord gives to His loved ones even while they 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 S ee, children are a gift from the Lord. The children born to us are our special reward.

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

4 T he children of a young man are like arrows in the hand of a soldier.

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

5 H appy is the man who has many of them. They will not be put to shame when they speak in the gate with those who hate them.

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.