The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 Not for our sake, God, no, not for our sake, but for your name's sake, show your glory. Do it on account of your merciful love, do it on account of your faithful ways.
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Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
2 Do it so none of the nations can say, "Where now, oh where is their God?"
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Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven doing whatever he wants to do.
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Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
4 Their gods are metal and wood, handmade in a basement shop:
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But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.
5 Carved mouths that can't talk, painted eyes that can't see,
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They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.
6 Tin ears that can't hear, molded noses that can't smell,
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They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.
7 Hands that can't grasp, feet that can't walk or run, throats that never utter a sound.
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They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them have become just like them, have become just like the gods they trust.
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Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
9 But you, Israel: put your trust in God! - trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
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All you Israelites, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield.
10 Clan of Aaron, trust in God! - trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
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House of Aaron, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear God, trust in God! - trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
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You who fear him, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield.
12 O God, remember us and bless us, bless the families of Israel and Aaron.
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The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 And let God bless all who fear God - bless the small, bless the great.
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he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.
14 Oh, let God enlarge your families - giving growth to you, growth to your children.
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May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by God, by God, who made heaven and earth.
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May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heaven of heavens is for God, but he put us in charge of the earth.
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The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 Dead people can't praise God - not a word to be heard from those buried in the ground.
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It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence;
18 But we bless God, oh yes - we bless him now, we bless him always! Hallelujah!
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it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.