New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
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Truly God is good to the upright, to those who 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 arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
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For they have no pain; their bodies are sound and sleek.
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 others are; they are not plagued like other people.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
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Therefore pride is 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 swell out with fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
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They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
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They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues range over the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
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Therefore the people turn and praise them, and find no fault in them.
11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
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And they say, "How can God know? 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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Such are the wicked; 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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All in vain I have kept my heart clean 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 am punished 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 talk on in this way," I would have been untrue to the circle of your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
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But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
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 perceived their end.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
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Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
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How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly 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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They are like a dream when one awakes; on awaking you despise their phantoms.
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
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When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
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I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast toward 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 my right 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 counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor.
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 nothing on earth that I desire other than 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 may 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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Indeed, those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you.
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 for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, to tell of 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.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.