New International Version NIV
New King James Version NKJV
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
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A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
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But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
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For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
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For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.
5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
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They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
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Therefore pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits.
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Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
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They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
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They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
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Therefore his people return here, And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
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And they say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?"
12 This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
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Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
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Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
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For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning.
15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
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If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
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When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me--
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
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Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
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Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
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Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
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As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
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Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
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I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
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Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
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You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
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Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire 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 flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
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For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
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 it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works.
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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.