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.