Common English Bible CEB
English Standard Version ESV
1 I promised I would watch my steps so as not to sin with my tongue; promised to keep my mouth shut as long as the wicked were in my presence.
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I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence. ”
2 So I was completely quiet, silent. I kept my peace, but it did no good. My pain got worse.
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I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.
3 My heart got hot inside me; while stewing over it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out with my tongue:
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My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
4 "Let me know my end, LORD. How many days do I have left? I want to know how brief my time is."
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“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
5 You've made my days so short; my lifetime is like nothing in your eyes. Yes, a human life is nothing but a puff of air! Selah
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Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
6 Yes, people wander around like shadows; yes, they hustle and bustle, but pointlessly; they don't even know who will get the wealth they've amassed.
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Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 So now, Lord, what should I be waiting for? My hope is set on you.
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“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my sins; don't make me some foolish person's joke.
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Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 I am completely silent; I won't open my mouth because you have acted.
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I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
10 Get this plague of yours off me! I'm being destroyed by the blows from your fist.
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Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 You discipline people for their sin, punishing them; like a moth, you ruin what they treasure. Yes, a human life is just a puff of air! Selah
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When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
12 Hear my prayer, LORD! Listen closely to my cry for help! Please don't ignore my tears! I'm just a foreigner— an immigrant staying with you, just like all my ancestors were.
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“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.
13 Look away from me so I can be happy again before I pass away and am gone.
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Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more! ”
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025