| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. | 1A Solomonic song of ascents. Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the LORD watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. |
| 2It 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. | 2In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food-- yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves. |
| 3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. | 3Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, children, a reward. |
| 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. | 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth. |
| 5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. | 5Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate. |
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