1 (Shir HaMa’alot, of Sh’lomo)

ExceptHashem build the bais,

they that build it labor in vain;

except Hashem is shomer over the city,

the shomair (watchman) stands guard in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,

to sit up late,

to eat the lechem ha’atzavim (bread of toils);

for so He giveth his beloved sleep.

3 Hinei, banim are nachalat Hashem;

and the p’ri habeten is a zachar (reward).

4 As khitzim (arrows) are in the yad of a gibbor;

so are bnei haneurim (children born in oneʼs youth).

5 Ashrei hagever that hath his quiver full of them;

they shall not be ashamed,

but they shall speak with the oyevim basha’ar (enemy at the gate).