New International Version NIV
New Century Version NCV
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
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God is truly good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
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But I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
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They are not suffering; they are healthy and strong.
5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
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They don't have troubles like the rest of us; they don't have problems like other people.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
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They wear pride like a necklace and put on violence as their clothing.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits.
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They are looking for profits and do not control their selfish desires.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
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They make fun of others and speak evil; proudly they speak of hurting others.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
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They brag to the sky. They say that they own the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
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So their people turn to them and give them whatever they want.
11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
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They say, "How can God know?
12 This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
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These people are wicked, always at ease, and getting richer.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
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So why have I kept my heart pure? Why have I kept my hands from doing wrong?
14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
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I have suffered all day long; I have been punished every morning.
15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
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God, if I had decided to talk like this, I would have let your people down.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
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I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
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until I went to the Temple of God. Then I understood what will happen to them.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
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You have put them in danger; you cause them to be destroyed.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
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They are destroyed in a moment; they are swept away by terrors.
20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
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It will be like waking from a dream. Lord, when you rise up, they will disappear.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
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When my heart was sad and I was angry,
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
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I was senseless and stupid. I acted like an animal toward you.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
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But I am always with you; you have held my hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
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You guide me with your advice, and later you will receive me in honor.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
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I have no one in heaven but you; I want nothing on earth besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
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My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
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Those who are far from God will die; you destroy those who are unfaithful.
28 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.
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But I am close to God, and that is good. The Lord God is my protection. I will tell all that you have done. A maskil of Asaph.