1. Except the Lord build the house,

1. those who build labor in vain;

1. except the Lord guards the city,

1. the watchman stays awake in vain.

2. It is in vain for you to rise up early,

2. to stay up late,

2. and to eat the bread of hard toil,

2. for He gives sleep to His beloved.

3. Look, children are a gift of the Lord,

3. and the fruit of the womb is a reward.

4. As arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior,

4. so are the children of one’s youth.

5. Happy is the man

5. who has his quiver full of them;

5. he shall not be ashamed

5. when he speaks with the enemies at the gate.