New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 Are you rulers really fair when you speak? Do you judge people honestly?
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Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity?
2 No, in your hearts you plan to be unfair. With your hands you do terrible things on the earth.
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No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
3 Even from birth those who are evil go down the wrong path. From the day they are born they go the wrong way and speak lies.
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Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4 Their words are like the poison of a snake. They are like the poison of a cobra that has covered up its ears.
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Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5 It won't listen to any tune of a snake charmer, even if the charmer really plays well.
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that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.
6 God, break the teeth in the mouths of those sinners! Lord, tear out the sharp teeth of those lions!
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Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7 Let those people disappear like water that flows away. When they draw their bows, let their arrows be dull.
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Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8 Let them be like a slug that melts away as it moves along. Let them be like a baby that is born dead and never sees the sun.
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May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9 Evil people will be swept away quicker than a pot can feel the heat of thorns burning under it. And it doesn't matter if the thorns are green or dry.
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Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.
10 Godly people will be glad when those who have hurt them are paid back. They will wash their feet in the blood of those who do evil.
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The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then people will say, "The godly will get their reward. There really is a God who judges the earth."
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Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.