New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
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Bilious and bloated, they gas, "God is gone." Their words are poison gas, fouling the air; they poison Rivers and skies; thistles are their cash crop.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
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God sticks his head out of heaven. He looks around. He's looking for someone not stupid - one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman.
3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
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He comes up empty. A string of zeros. Useless, unshepherded Sheep, taking turns pretending to be Shepherd. The ninety and nine follow their fellow.
4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD.
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Don't they know anything, all these impostors? Don't they know they can't get away with this - Treating people like a fast-food meal over which they're too busy to pray?
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.
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Night is coming for them, and nightmares, for God takes the side of victims.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.
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Do you think you can mess with the dreams of the poor? You can't, for God makes their dreams come true.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
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Is there anyone around to save Israel? Yes. God is around; God turns life around. Turned-around Jacob skips rope, turned-around Israel sings laughter.
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.
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.