New International Version NIV
New Century Version NCV
1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
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God, nations have come against your chosen people. They have ruined your holy Temple. They have turned Jerusalem into ruins.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the sky, the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
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They have given the bodies of your servants as food to the wild birds. They have given the bodies of those who worship you to the wild animals.
3 They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.
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They have spilled blood like water all around Jerusalem. No one was left to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.
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We are a joke to the other nations; they laugh and make fun of us.
5 How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
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Lord, how long will this last? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like a fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;
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Be angry with the nations that do not know you and with the kingdoms that do not honor you.
7 for they have devoured Jacob and devastated his homeland.
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They have gobbled up the people of Jacob and destroyed their land.
8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.
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Don't punish us for our past sins. Show your mercy to us soon, because we are helpless!
9 Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.
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God our Savior, help us so people will praise you. Save us and forgive our sins so people will honor you.
10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
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Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Tell the other nations in our presence that you punish those who kill your servants.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
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Hear the moans of the prisoners. Use your great power to save those sentenced to die.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
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Repay those around us seven times over for their insults to you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.
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We are your people, the sheep of your flock. We will thank you always; forever and ever we will praise you.