The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean in heart.
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God is indeed good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;
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But I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone
3 Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
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because I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.
4 For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.
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They do not suffer pain; they are strong and healthy.
5 They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.
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They do not suffer as other people do; they do not have the troubles that others have.
6 For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.
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And so they wear pride like a necklace and violence like a robe;
7 Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
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their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
8 Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.
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They laugh at other people and speak of evil things; they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
9 Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.
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They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
10 For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.
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so that even God's people turn to them and eagerly believe whatever they say.
11 And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?
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They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out."
12 Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.
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That is what the wicked are like. They have plenty and are always getting more.
13 As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
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Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure and have not committed sin?
14 For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.
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O God, you have made me suffer all day long; every morning you have punished me.
15 If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
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If I had said such things, I would not be acting as one of your people.
16 When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
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I tried to think this problem through, but it was too difficult for me
17 Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.
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until I went into your Temple. Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.
18 You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.
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You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction!
19 How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.
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They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.
20 As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.
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They are like a dream that goes away in the morning; when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.
21 My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:
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When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt,
22 As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.
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I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you.
23 But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.
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Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand.
24 Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.
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You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.
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What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?
26 My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.
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My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.
27 For those who are far away from you will come to destruction: you will put an end to all those who have not kept faith with you.
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Those who abandon you will certainly perish; you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.
28 But it is good for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.
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But as for me, how wonderful to be near God, to find protection with the Sovereign Lord and to proclaim all that he has done!
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.