New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
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The God of gods - it's God! - speaks out, shouts, "Earth!" welcomes the sun in the east, farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.
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From the dazzle of Zion, God blazes into view.
3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.
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Our God makes his entrance, he's not shy in his coming. Starbursts of fireworks precede him.
4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:
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He summons heaven and earth as a jury, he's taking his people to court:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
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"Round up my saints who swore on the Bible their loyalty to me."
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
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The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court, that here God is judge.
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God.
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"Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak; Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial. This is God, your God, speaking to you.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
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I don't find fault with your acts of worship, the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
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But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull, or more and more goats from your herds?
10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
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Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains.
11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.
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I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
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If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
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Do you think I feast on venison? or drink draughts of goats' blood?
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
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Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises,
15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
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And call for help when you're in trouble - I'll help you, and you'll honor me."
16 But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?
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Next, God calls up the wicked: "What are you up to, quoting my laws, talking like we are good friends?
17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.
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You never answer the door when I call; you treat my words like garbage.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
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If you find a thief, you make him your buddy; adulterers are your friends of choice.
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
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Your mouth drools filth; lying is a serious art form with you.
20 You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.
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You stab your own brother in the back, rip off your little sister.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.
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I kept a quiet patience while you did these things; you thought I went along with your game. I'm calling you on the carpet, now, laying your wickedness out in plain sight.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
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"Time's up for playing fast and loose with me. I'm ready to pass sentence, and there's no help in sight!
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
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It's the praising life that honors me. As soon as you set your foot on the Way, I'll show you my salvation."
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.