The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Message Bible MSG
1 A psalm of Asaf: How good God is to Isra'el, to those who are pure in heart!
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No doubt about it! God is good - good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
2 But as for me, I lost my balance, my feet nearly slipped,
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But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.
3 when I grew envious of the arrogant and saw how the wicked prosper.
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I was looking the other way, looking up to the people
4 For when their death comes, it is painless; and meanwhile, their bodies are healthy;
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At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,
5 they don't have ordinary people's troubles, they aren't plagued like others.
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Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
6 So for them, pride is a necklace; and violence clothes them like a robe.
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Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,
7 Their eyes peep out through folds of fat; evil thoughts overflow from their hearts.
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Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness.
8 They scoff and speak with malice, they loftily utter threats.
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They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words.
9 They set their mouths against heaven; their tongues swagger through the earth.
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They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace.
10 Therefore his people return here and [thoughtlessly] suck up that whole cup of water.
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People actually listen to them - can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
11 Then they ask, "How does God know? Does the Most High really have knowledge?"
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What's going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store.
12 Yes, this is what the wicked are like; those free of misfortune keep increasing their wealth.
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The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches
13 It's all for nothing that I've kept my heart clean and washed my hands, staying free of guilt;
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I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me?
14 for all day long I am plagued; my punishment comes every morning.
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A long run of bad luck, that's what - a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
15 If I had said, "I will talk like them,"I would have betrayed a generation of your children.
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If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, I found it too hard for me -
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Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . .
17 until I went into the sanctuaries of God and grasped what their destiny would be.
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Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture:
18 Indeed, you place them on a slippery slope and make them fall to their ruin.
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The slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
19 How suddenly they are destroyed, swept away by terrors!
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In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and - nightmare!
20 They are like a dream when one awakens; Adonai, when you rouse yourself, you will despise their phantoms.
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We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
21 When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions,
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When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy,
22 I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you.
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I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence.
23 Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand.
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I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand.
24 You will guide me with your advice; and afterwards, you will receive me with honor.
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You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
25 Whom do I have in heaven but you? And with you, I lack nothing on earth.
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You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth!
26 My mind and body may fail; but God is the rock for my mind and my portion forever.
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When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you.
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Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
28 But for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made Adonai ELOHIM my refuge, so that I can tell of all your works.
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But I'm in the very presence of God - oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home. God, I'm telling the world what you do!
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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.