The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 Why do you keep far away, O Lord? why are you not to be seen in times of trouble?
1
Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 The evil-doer in his pride is cruel to the poor; let him be taken by the tricks of his invention.
2
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 For the evil-doer is lifted up because of the purpose of his heart, and he whose mind is fixed on wealth is turned away from the Lord, saying evil against him.
3
He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 The evil-doer in his pride says, God will not make a search. All his thoughts are, There is no God.
4
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are ever fixed; your decisions are higher than he may see: as for his haters, they are as nothing to him.
5
His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He has said in his heart, I will not be moved: through all generations I will never be in trouble.
6
He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and false words: under his tongue are evil purposes and dark thoughts.
7
His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He is waiting in the dark places of the towns: in the secret places he puts to death those who have done no wrong: his eyes are secretly turned against the poor.
8
He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 He keeps himself in a secret place like a lion in his hole, waiting to put his hands on the poor man, and pulling him into his net.
9
like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
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.