New King James Version NKJV
New Living Translation NLT
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.
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Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
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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It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
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Children are a gift from the LORD ; they are 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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Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
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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How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.