^{1 Ref} Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

^{2 Ref} It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; `For' so he giveth unto his beloved sleep.

^{3 Ref} Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; `And' the fruit of the womb is `his' reward.

^{4 Ref} As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.

^{5 Ref} Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 128 A Song of Ascents.

^{1 Ref} <A Song of the going up. Of Solomon.> If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing.

^{2 Ref} It is of no use for you to get up early, and to go late to your rest, with the bread of sorrow for your food; for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep.

^{3 Ref} See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.

^{4 Ref} Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.

^{5 Ref} Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.

^{1 Ref} > 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 Ref} 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 Ref} Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

^{4 Ref} As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.

^{5 Ref} 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.