Tuesday, August 5

Unless the Lord builds the house,

    the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the guards stand watch in vain.

2 

In vain you rise early

    and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat—

    for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.

3 

Children are a heritage from the Lord,

    offspring a reward from him.

4 

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

    are children born in one’s youth.

5 

Blessed is the man

    whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame

    when they contend with their opponents in court.