1 If the LORD does not build the house, its builders toil over it for nothing; if the LORD does not guard the city, the watchman keeps awake for nothing.
2 It is for nothing that you rise early and stay up late, eating the bread of hard toil; for so he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Look—sons are an inheritance from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in a warrior's hand, so are the sons of one's youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them! They will not be shamed when they speak with enemies in the gate.