| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1A psalm by Asaph. Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure! | 1Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. |
| 2But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. | 2But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. |
| 3For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked. | 3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. |
| 4For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. | 4They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. |
| 5They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. | 5They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. |
| 6Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing. | 6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. |
| 7Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful. | 7These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! |
| 8They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence. | 8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. |
| 9They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth. | 9They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. |
| 10Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. | 10And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. |
| 11They say, "How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?" | 11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” |
| 12Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. | 12Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. |
| 13I concluded, "Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle. | 13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? |
| 14I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning." | 14I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. |
| 15If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers. | 15If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. |
| 16When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me. | 16So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! |
| 17Then I entered the precincts of God's temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked. | 17Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. |
| 18Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin. | 18Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. |
| 19How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete! | 19In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. |
| 20They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them. | 20When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. |
| 21Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain. | 21Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. |
| 22I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you. | 22I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. |
| 23But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. | 23Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. |
| 24You guide me by your wise advice, and then you will lead me to a position of honor. | 24You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. |
| 25Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth. | 25Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. |
| 26My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability. | 26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. |
| 27Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you. | 27Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. |
| 28But as for me, God's presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign LORD my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done. | 28But 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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