A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

I have not sat with vain men, And with dissemblers I enter not.

Sons of men! till when is my glory for shame? Ye love a vain thing, ye seek a lie. Selah.

Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, in vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them.

Only -- a vain thing! I have purified my heart, And I wash in innocency my hands,

Give to us help from adversity, And vain is the deliverance of man.

Trust not in oppression, And in robbery become not vain, Wealth -- when it increaseth -- set not the heart.

Remember, I pray Thee, what is life-time? Wherefore in vain hast Thou created All the sons of men?

Give to us help from adversity, And vain is the salvation of man.

Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one sleep.