King James Version KJV
Good News Translation GNT
1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
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God is indeed good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
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But I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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because I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
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They do not suffer pain; they are strong and healthy.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
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They do not suffer as other people do; they do not have the troubles that others have.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
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And so they wear pride like a necklace and violence like a robe;
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
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their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
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They laugh at other people and speak of evil things; they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
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They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to 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 doth God know? and 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 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
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That is what the wicked are like. They have plenty and are always getting more.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
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Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure and have not committed sin?
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
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O God, you have made me suffer all day long; every morning you have punished me.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
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If I had said such things, I would not be acting as one of your people.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
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I tried to think this problem through, but it was too difficult for me
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
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until I went into your Temple. Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
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You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction!
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
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They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
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They are like a dream that goes away in the morning; when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
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When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt,
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
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I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
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Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
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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 thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
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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 faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
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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, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
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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 draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy 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 King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.