1 A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

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 V ain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one 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 L o, an inheritance of Jehovah sons, A reward the fruit of the womb.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 A s arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So the sons of the young men.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 O the happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with 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.