The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 For the leader. Set in the style of Y'dutun. A psalm of David: I said, "I will watch how I behave, so that I won't sin with my tongue; I will put a muzzle on my mouth whenever the wicked confront me."
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<To the chief music-maker. Of Jeduthun. A Psalm. Of David.> I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me.
2 I was silent, said nothing, not even good; but my pain kept being stirred up.
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I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
3 My heart grew hot within me; whenever I thought of it, the fire burned. Then, [at last,] I let my tongue speak:
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My heart was burning in my breast; while I was deep in thought the fire was lighted; then I said with my tongue,
4 "Make me grasp, ADONAI, what my end must be, what it means that my days are numbered; let me know what a transient creature I am.
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Lord, give me knowledge of my end, and of the measure of my days, so that I may see how feeble I am.
5 You have made my days like handbreadths; for you, the length of my life is like nothing." Yes, everyone, no matter how firmly he stands, is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)
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You have made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years are nothing in your eyes; truly, every man is but a breath. (Selah.)
6 Humans go about like shadows; their turmoil is all for nothing. They accumulate wealth, not knowing who will enjoy its benefits.
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Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it.
7 Now, Adonai, what am I waiting for? You are my only hope.
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And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from all my transgressions; don't make me the butt of fools.
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Make me free from all my sins; do not let me be shamed by the man of evil behaviour.
9 I am silent, I keep my mouth shut, because it is you who have done it.
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I was quiet, and kept my mouth shut; because you had done it.
10 Stop raining blows on me; the pounding of your fist is wearing me down.
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No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.
11 With rebukes you discipline people for their guilt; like a moth, you destroy what makes them attractive; yes, everyone is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)
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By the weight of your wrath against man's sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah.)
12 Hear my prayer, ADONAI, listen to my cry, don't be deaf to my weeping; for with you, I am just a traveler passing through, like all my ancestors.
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Let my prayer come to your ears, O Lord, and give attention to my cry, make an answer to my weeping: for my time here is short before you, and in a little time I will be gone, like all my fathers.
13 Turn your gaze from me, so I can smile again before I depart and cease to exist.
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Let your wrath be turned away from me, so that I may be comforted, before I go away from here, and become nothing.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.