Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
English Standard Version ESV
1 Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.
1
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 In vain you get up early and stay up late, eating food earned by hard work; certainly He gives sleep to the one He loves.
2
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward.
3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth.
4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with [their] enemies at the city gate.
5
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025