Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Unless it is the LORD who builds the house, the builders' work is pointless. Unless it is the LORD who protects the city, the guard on duty is pointless.
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Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
2 It is pointless that you get up early and stay up late, eating the bread of hard labor because God gives sleep to those he loves.
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It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.
3 No doubt about it: children are a gift from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a divine reward.
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Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 The children born when one is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
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Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth.
5 The person who fills a quiver full with them is truly happy! They won't be ashamed when arguing with their enemies in the gate.
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Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.