127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord ^(B)watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.

² It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious ^(A)toil;
    for he gives to his ^(B)beloved ^(C)sleep.

⁴ Like arrows in the hand of ^(A)a warrior
    are the children^[a] of one's youth.

⁵ Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies ^(A)in the gate.^[a]