The Book of Psalms

Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

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.

Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

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.(a)

(b)

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.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord : and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

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.(c)

(d)

(a)127:1 for…: or, of Solomon

(b)127:1 that…: Heb. that are builders of it in it

(d)127:5 speak…: or, subdue, or, destroy