English Standard Version ESV
New Living Translation NLT
1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
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Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
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The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us. ”
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“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
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But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
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Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill. ”
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For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
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The king proclaims the LORD ’s decree: “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
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Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. ”
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You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’”
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
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Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
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Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
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Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.