New Living Translation NLT
King James Version KJV
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
1
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
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But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
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For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.
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For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
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They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
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Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
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Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
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They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
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They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
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Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
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And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
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Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
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Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
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For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.
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If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
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When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
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Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
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Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
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How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
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As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
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Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
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So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
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Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
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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? I desire you more than anything on earth.
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Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine 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 desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon 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, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
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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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The King James Version is in the public domain.