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.
2
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.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.