New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”
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I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”
2 So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased;
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But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
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The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:
4 “Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
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“ LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
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You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
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We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
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And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.
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Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me.
9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.
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I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you.
10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
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But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.
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When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. Interlude
12 “Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
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Hear my prayer, O LORD ! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest— a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me.
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”
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Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.
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Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.