| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but 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 giveth 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. |
| 3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. | 3Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, children, a reward. |
| 4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. | 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth. |
| 5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the 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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