Psalms 127

1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

“A song of the degrees for Solomon.” Unless the Lord do build the house, in vain labor they that build on it: unless the Lord guard the city, in vain is the watchman wakeful.

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.

It is in vain for you to be early in rising, to be late in sitting up, eating the bread of painful toils; [for] so doth he give unto his beloved during sleep.

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

Lo, children are an inheritance from the Lord: a reward is the fruit of the body.

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

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

5 Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver filled with them: they shall not be put to shame, when they do speak with the enemies in the gate.