^{1 Ref} A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

^{2 Ref} Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one sleep.

^{3 Ref} Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah `are' sons, A reward `is' the fruit of the womb.

^{4 Ref} As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So `are' the sons of the young men.

^{5 Ref} O the happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!

^{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.