Unlessthe LORDbuildsthe house,They laborin vainwho buildit; Unlessthe LORDguardsthe city,The watchmankeepsawakein vain.
The LORDgavewisdomto Solomon,justas He promisedhim; and there was peacebetweenHiramand Solomon,and the twoof them madea covenant.
"Considernow,for the LORDhas chosenyou to builda housefor the sanctuary;be courageousand act."
Then Davidsaidto his sonSolomon,"Be strongand courageous,and act;do not fearnorbe dismayed,for the LORDGod,my God,is with you. He will not failyou norforsakeyou untilallthe workfor the serviceof the houseof the LORDis finished.
and giveto my sonSolomona perfectheartto keepYour commandments,Your testimoniesand Your statutes,and to do[them] all,and to buildthe temple,for whichI have madeprovision."
In my troubleI criedto the LORD,And He answeredme.
I will liftup my eyesto the mountains;From whereshall my helpcome?
I was gladwhen they saidto me, "Let us goto the houseof the LORD."
To You I liftup my eyes,O You who are enthronedin the heavens!
"Had it not beenthe LORDwhowas on our side," Let Israelnowsay,
Those who trustin the LORDAre as MountZion,which cannotbe movedbut abidesforever.
When the LORDbroughtbackthe captiveones of Zion,We were like those who dream.
Givethe kingYour judgments,O God,And Your righteousnessto the king'sson.
And He builtHis sanctuarylikethe heights,Like the earthwhich He has foundedforever.
The mindof manplanshis way,But the LORDdirectshis steps.
I againsawunderthe sunthat the raceis not to the swiftand the battleis not to the warriors,and neitheris breadto the wisenorwealthto the discerningnorfavorto men of ability;for timeand chanceovertakethem all.
"The watchmenwho makethe roundsin the cityfoundme, [And I said], 'Have you seenhim whommy soulloves?'
"The watchmenwho makethe roundsin the cityfoundme, They struckme [and] woundedme; The guardsmenof the wallstookaway my shawlfrom me.
"I, the LORD,am its keeper;I waterit every moment.So that no one will damageit, I guardit nightand day.
His watchmenare blind,Allof them knownothing.Allof them are mutedogsunableto bark,Dreamerslyingdown,who loveto slumber;
On your walls,O Jerusalem,I have appointedwatchmen;Alldayand allnightthey will neverkeepsilent.You who remindthe LORD,take norestfor yourselves;
Liftup a signalagainstthe wallsof Babylon;Posta strongguard,Stationsentries,Placemen in ambush!For the LORDhas bothpurposedand performedWhatHe spokeconcerningthe inhabitantsof Babylon.
One courierrunsto meetanother,And one messengerto meetanother,To tellthe kingof BabylonThat his cityhas been capturedfrom end[to end];
and ifChristhas not been raised,thenour preachingis vain,your faithalsois vain.
So thenneitherthe one who plantsnorthe one who watersis anything,but Godwho causes the growth.
I fearfor you, that perhapsI have laboredoveryou in vain.
"But you shall rememberthe LORDyour God,for it is He who is givingyou powerto makewealth,that He may confirmHis covenantwhichHe sworeto your fathers,as [it is] thisday.
It was toldthe kingof Jericho,saying,"Behold,menfrom the sonsof Israelhave comeheretonightto searchout the land."
