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A song from Solomon for going up to the Temple.
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 the 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 those he loves,
even while they are sleeping.
3 Children are a gift* gift Literally, “inheritance.” This usually means the land God gave to each family in Israel. from the LORD,
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 with sons
will be very blessed.
He will never be defeated
when he opposes his enemy at the city gates.† city gates This can refer to either a battle to protect the city or to a court case held in this public place.