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

2It 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.

3Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah;
And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

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

5Happy 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.