1 Without the help of the Lord

it is useless to build a home

or to guard a city.

2 It is useless to get up early

and stay up late

in order to earn a living.

God takes care of his own,

even while they sleep.*

3 Children are a blessing

and a gift from the Lord.

4 Having a lot of children

to take care of you

in your old age

is like a warrior

with a lot of arrows.

5 The more you have,

the better off you will be,

because they will protect you

when your enemies

attack you in court.