New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 I said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."
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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 and still; I held my peace to no avail; my distress grew worse,
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I made no sound, I said no word, even of good; and I was moved with sorrow.
3 my heart became hot within me. While I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
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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 "Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.
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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 a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath. (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 Surely everyone goes about like a shadow. Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; they heap up, and do not know who will gather.
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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 "And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.
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And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool.
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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 do not open my mouth, for 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 Remove your stroke from me; I am worn down by the blows of your hand.
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No longer let your hand be hard on me; I am wasted by the blows of your hand.
11 "You chastise mortals in punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is dear to them; surely everyone is a mere breath. (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, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not hold your peace at my tears. For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears.
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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 away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more."
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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.
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.