Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.
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<<A Song of Ascents. By Solomon.>> Unless Yahweh builds the house, They labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, The watchman guards it in vain.
2 It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the Lord provides for those he loves, while they are asleep.
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It is vain for you to rise up early, To stay up late, Eating the bread of toil; For he gives sleep to his loved ones.
3 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing.
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Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 The sons a man has when he is young are like arrows in a soldier's hand.
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As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man who has many such arrows. He will never be defeated when he meets his enemies in the place of judgment.
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Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.