The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 No doubt about it! God is good - good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
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Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.
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But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 I was looking the other way, looking up to the people
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For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,
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They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
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They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,
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Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7 Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness.
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From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words.
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They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace.
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Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of 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 their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
11 What's going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store.
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They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
12 The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches
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This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13 I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me?
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Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
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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All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
15 If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children.
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If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
16 Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . .
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When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture:
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till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18 The slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
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Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19 In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and - nightmare!
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How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
20 We wake up and rub our eyes. . . . Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
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They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21 When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy,
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When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22 I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence.
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I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23 I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand.
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Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24 You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
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You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into 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 you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
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 may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
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Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
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 as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.