¹ If the Lord does not build the house,
    it is useless for the builders to work hard over it.
If the Lord does not watch over the city,
    it is useless for the watchman to stand guard.
² It is useless for you to get up early and to work late,
worrying about bread to eat,
because God grants sleep to the one he loves.^[a]
3 Indeed, children are a heritage from the Lord.
The fruit of the womb is a reward from him.
⁴ Sons born during one’s youth are like arrows
    in the hand of a warrior.
⁵ How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they dispute with enemies at the city gate.^[b]