The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 No doubt about it! God is good - good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
1
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.
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But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 I was looking the other way, looking up to the people
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For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,
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For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
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They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,
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Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness.
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Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words.
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They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace.
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They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 People actually listen to them - can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
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Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 What's going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store.
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And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches
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Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me?
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Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 A long run of bad luck, that's what - a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
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For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children.
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If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . .
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When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture:
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Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 The slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
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Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and - nightmare!
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How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
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As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy,
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Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence.
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So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand.
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Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
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Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth!
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Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful.
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My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
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For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 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!
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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.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.