New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;
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Open your ears, God, to my prayer; don't pretend you don't hear me knocking.
2 hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
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Come close and whisper your answer. I really need you.
3 because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.
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at the mean voice, quail before the evil eye, As they pile on the guilt, stockpile angry slander.
4 My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.
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My insides are turned inside out; specters of death have me down.
5 Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.
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I shake with fear, I shudder from head to foot.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
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"Who will give me wings," I ask - "wings like a dove?" Get me out of here on dove wings;
7 I would flee far away and stay in the desert;
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I want some peace and quiet. I want a walk in the country,
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”
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I want a cabin in the woods. I'm desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather.
9 Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city.
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Come down hard, Lord - slit their tongues. I'm appalled how they've split the city Into rival gangs prowling the alleys
10 Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it.
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Day and night spoiling for a fight, trash piled in the streets,
11 Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.
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Even shopkeepers gouging and cheating in broad daylight.
12 If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.
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This isn't the neighborhood bully mocking me - I could take that. This isn't a foreign devil spitting invective - I could tune that out.
13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend,
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It's you! We grew up together! You! My best friend!
14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
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Those long hours of leisure as we walked arm in arm, God a third party to our conversation.
15 Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them.
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Haul my betrayers off alive to hell - let them experience the horror, let them feel every desolate detail of a damned life.
16 As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
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I call to God; God will help me.
17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
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At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh deep sighs - he hears, he rescues.
18 He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
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My life is well and whole, secure in the middle of danger Even while thousands are lined up against me.
19 God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
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God hears it all, and from his judge's bench puts them in their place. But, set in their ways, they won't change; they pay him no mind.
20 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
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And this, my best friend, betrayed his best friends; his life betrayed his word.
21 His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
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All my life I've been charmed by his speech, never dreaming he'd turn on me. His words, which were music to my ears, turned to daggers in my heart.
22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
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Pile your troubles on God's shoulders - he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin.
23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.
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But you, God, will throw the others into a muddy bog, Cut the lifespan of assassins and traitors in half. And I trust in you.
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.