King James Version KJV
Good News Translation GNT
1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
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.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
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.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
3
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
4
The sons a man has when he is young are like arrows in a soldier's hand.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.