A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.
Then David said to his son Solomon: “Be strong and steadfast, and go to work; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or abandon you before you have completed all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
Give to my son Solomon a wholehearted desire to keep your commandments, precepts, and statutes, that he may carry out all these plans and build the palace for which I have made preparation.”
Again I saw under the sun that the race is not won by the swift, nor the battle by the valiant, nor a livelihood by the wise, nor riches by the shrewd, nor favor by the experts; for a time of misfortune comes to all alike.
Over the walls of Babylon raise a signal, reinforce the watch; Post sentries, arrange ambushes! For the Lord has both planned and carried out what he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.
Remember then the Lord, your God, for he is the one who gives you the power to get wealth, by fulfilling, as he has now done, the covenant he swore to your ancestors.