Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 God is indeed good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.
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<<A Psalm by Asaph.>> Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart.
2 But I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone
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But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
3 because I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.
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For I was envious of the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They do not suffer pain; they are strong and healthy.
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For there are no struggles in their death, But their strength is firm.
5 They do not suffer as other people do; they do not have the troubles that others have.
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They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men.
6 And so they wear pride like a necklace and violence like a robe;
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Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7 their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
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Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8 They laugh at other people and speak of evil things; they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
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They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9 They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
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They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
10 so that even God's people turn to them and eagerly believe whatever they say.
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Therefore their people return to them, And they drink up waters of abundance.
11 They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out."
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They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
12 That is what the wicked are like. They have plenty and are always getting more.
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Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13 Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure and have not committed sin?
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Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence,
14 O God, you have made me suffer all day long; every morning you have punished me.
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For all day long have I been plagued, And punished every morning.
15 If I had said such things, I would not be acting as one of your people.
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If I had said, "I will speak thus;" Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 I tried to think this problem through, but it was too difficult for me
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When I tried to understand this, It was too painful for me;
17 until I went into your Temple. Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.
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Until I entered God's sanctuary, And considered their latter end.
18 You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction!
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Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
19 They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.
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How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20 They are like a dream that goes away in the morning; when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.
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As a dream when one wakes up, So, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21 When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt,
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For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22 I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you.
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I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand.
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Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
24 You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor.
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You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
25 What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?
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Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.
26 My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.
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My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who abandon you will certainly perish; you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.
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For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
28 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!
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But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, That I may tell of all your works.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.