1 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 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 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord:

And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;

So are children of the youth.

5 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.