The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 <A Psalm. Of Asaph.> The God of gods, even the Lord, has sent out his voice, and the earth is full of fear; from the coming up of the sun to its going down.
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The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, most beautiful of places, God has sent out his light.
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From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.
3 Our God will come, and will not keep quiet; with fire burning before him, and storm-winds round him.
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Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.
4 His voice will go out to the heavens and to the earth, for the judging of his people:
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He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 Let my saints come together to me; those who have made an agreement with me by offerings.
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“Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And let the heavens make clear his righteousness; for God himself is the judge. (Selah.)
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And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
7 Give ear, O my people, to my words; O Israel, I will be a witness against you; I am God, even your God.
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“Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.
8 I will not take up a cause against you because of your offerings, or because of your burned offerings, which are ever before me.
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I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I will take no ox out of your house, or he-goats from your flocks;
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I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
10 For every beast of the woodland is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
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for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I see all the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the field are mine.
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I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I had need of food, I would not give you word of it; for the earth is mine and all its wealth.
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If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Am I to take the flesh of the ox for my food, or the blood of goats for my drink?
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Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Make an offering of praise to God; keep the agreements which you have made with the Most High;
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“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 Let your voice come up to me in the day of trouble; I will be your saviour, so that you may give glory to me.
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and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the sinner, God says, What are you doing, talking of my laws, or taking the words of my agreement in your mouth?
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But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?
17 Seeing that you have no desire for my teaching, turning your back on my words.
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You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.
18 When you saw a thief, you were in agreement with him, and you were joined with those who took other men's wives.
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When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You have given your mouth to evil, your tongue to words of deceit.
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You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You say evil of your brother; you make false statements against your mother's son.
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You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.
21 These things have you done, and I said nothing; it seemed to you that I was such a one as yourself; but I will make a protest against you, and put them in order before your eyes.
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When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.
22 Now keep this in mind, you who have no memory of God, for fear that you may be crushed under my hand, with no one to give you help:
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“Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Whoever makes an offering of praise gives glory to me; and to him who is upright in his ways I will make clear the salvation of God.
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Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
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.