The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 You walked off and left us, and never looked back. God, how could you do that? We're your very own sheep; how can you stomp off in anger?
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O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Refresh your memory of us - you bought us a long time ago. Your most precious tribe - you paid a good price for us! Your very own Mount Zion - you actually lived here once!
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Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
3 Come and visit the site of disaster, see how they've wrecked the sanctuary.
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Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
4 While your people were at worship, your enemies barged in, brawling and scrawling graffiti.
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Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs.
5 They set fire to the porch; axes swinging, they chopped up the woodwork,
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They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.
6 Beat down the doors with sledgehammers, then split them into kindling.
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They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.
7 They burned your holy place to the ground, violated the place of worship.
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They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8 They said to themselves, "We'll wipe them all out," and burned down all the places of worship.
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They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!” They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9 There's not a sign or symbol of God in sight, nor anyone to speak in his name, no one who knows what's going on.
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We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
10 How long, God, will barbarians blaspheme, enemies curse and get by with it?
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How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?
11 Why don't you do something? How long are you going to sit there with your hands folded in your lap?
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Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
12 God is my King from the very start; he works salvation in the womb of the earth.
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But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.
13 With one blow you split the sea in two, you made mincemeat of the dragon Tannin.
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It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
14 You lopped off the heads of Leviathan, then served them up in a stew for the animals.
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It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
15 With your finger you opened up springs and creeks, and dried up the wild floodwaters.
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It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
16 You own the day, you own the night; you put stars and sun in place.
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The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
17 You laid out the four corners of earth, shaped the seasons of summer and winter.
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It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
18 Mark and remember, God, all the enemy taunts, each idiot desecration.
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Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.
19 Don't throw your lambs to the wolves; after all we've been through, don't forget us.
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Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.
20 Remember your promises; the city is in darkness, the countryside violent.
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Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
21 Don't leave the victims to rot in the street; make them a choir that sings your praises.
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Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.
22 On your feet, O God - stand up for yourself! Do you hear what they're saying about you, all the vile obscenities?
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Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long.
23 Don't tune out their malicious filth, the brawling invective that never lets up.
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Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
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.