The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 A song of ascents. By Shlomo: Unless ADONAI builds the house, its builders work in vain. Unless ADONAI guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
1
<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 In vain do you get up early and put off going to bed, working hard to earn a living; for he provides for his beloved, even when they sleep.
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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 Children too are a gift from ADONAI; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
3
See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his 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 man of war, are the children of the young.
5 How blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them; he will not have to be embarrassed when contending with foes at the city gate.
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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.