New International Version NIV
Third Millennium Bible TMB
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, even to such as are of a clean 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 were almost gone; my steps had well nigh 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 foolish 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 bands 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; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
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Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits.
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Their eyes stand out with fatness; they have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
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They are corrupt, 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 walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
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Therefore His people return hither, and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
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And they say, "How doth 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 prosper in the world; 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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Verily 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 the day long have I 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 say, "I will speak thus," behold, I should offend against the generation of Thy children.
16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
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When I thought 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 understood I their end:
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
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surely Thou didst set them in slippery places. Thou didst cast them down into destruction!
19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!
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How they are brought into 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 awaketh, so, O Lord, when Thou awakest, Thou shalt 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 pricked in my reins.
22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
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So foolish was I and ignorant; I was as a beast before Thee.
23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
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Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast held me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
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Thou shalt guide me with Thy 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 Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.
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 faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
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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 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 Thy 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.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.