New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.
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Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in 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 had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
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For I envied the arrogant 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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They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
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They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.
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Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
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From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; their evil imaginations have no limits.
8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
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They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
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Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.
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Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.
11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
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They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”
12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
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This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
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Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
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All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.
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 had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
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When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
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till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
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Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.
19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.
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How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by 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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They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.
21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
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When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
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I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
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Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.
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You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into 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 you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
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 may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.
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Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
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 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.
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.
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.