New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
1 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
1
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.
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In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
3
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.
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Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
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Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.