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

Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 I t is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

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

Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. 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 appy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.