1 Unless Yahweh builds the house,

they work uselessly, those who build it.

Unless Yahweh guards the city,

the watchman stands guard uselessly.

2 It is useless for you to rise up early,

to come home late,

or to eat the bread of hard work,

for Yahweh provides for his beloved as they sleep.

3 See, children are a heritage from Yahweh,

and the fruit of the womb is a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

so are the children of one's youth.

5 How blessed is the man that has his quiver full of them.

He will not be put to shame

when he confronts his enemies in the gate.