1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless ^athe Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain. ‡

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To ^aeat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep. ‡

5 ^aHappy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
^bThey shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. ‡