New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?
1
Why are the nations so violently moved, and why are the thoughts of the people so foolish?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
2
The kings of the earth have taken their place, and the rulers are fixed in their purpose, against the Lord, and against the king of his selection, saying,
3 "Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us."
3
Let their chains be broken, and their cords taken from off us.
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.
4
Then he whose seat is in the heavens will be laughing: the Lord will make sport of them.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
5
Then will his angry words come to their ears, and by his wrath they will be troubled:
6 "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."
6
But I have put my king on my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have begotten you.
7
I will make clear the Lord's decision: he has said to me, You are my son, this day have I given you being.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
8
Make your request to me, and I will give you the nations for your heritage, and the farthest limits of the earth will be under your hand.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
9
They will be ruled by you with a rod of iron; they will be broken like a potter's vessel.
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
10
So now be wise, you kings: take his teaching, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling
11
Give worship to the Lord with fear, kissing his feet and giving him honour,
12 kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in him.
12
For fear that he may be angry, causing destruction to come on you, because he is quickly moved to wrath. Happy are all those who put their faith in him.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.