A song from Solomon for going up to the Temple.[607]
<1> If it is not the Lord who builds a house,
the builders are wasting their time.
If it is not the Lord who watches over a city,
the guards are wasting their time.
<2> It is a waste of time
to get up early and stay up late, trying to make a living.
The Lord provides for the people he loves,
even while they are sleeping.
<3> Children are a gift[608] from the Lord.
They are a reward from a mother's womb.
<4> A young man's sons are like the arrows
in a soldier's hand.
<5> The man who fills his quiver[609] with sons
will be very blessed.
They will never be defeated
when they oppose the enemy at the city gates.[610]
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.