New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
1
<A Song of the going up. Of Solomon.> If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.
2
It is of no use for you to get up early, and to go late to your rest, with the bread of sorrow for your food; for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep.
3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
3
See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth.
4
Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
5
Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.