1 Unless Yahweh builds the house,

they who build it labor in vain.

Unless Yahweh watches over the city,

the watchman guards it in vain.

2 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 Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh.

The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,

so are the children of youth.

5 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.

1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain that build it; unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchmen watch in vain.

2 [It is] vain for you to rise up early, to come home late, to eat the bread of sorrows, because he shall give his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, sons [are] a heritage of the LORD, [and] the fruit of the womb [is] to be desired.

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so [are] the young men.

5 Happy [is] the man that has filled his quiver with them: he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with the enemies in the gate.: