| Berean Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? | 1For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? |
| 2No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth. | 2No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. |
| 3The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth. | 3Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. |
| 4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, | 4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, |
| 5refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell. | 5that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. |
| 6O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions. | 6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions! |
| 7May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted. | 7Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short. |
| 8Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun. | 8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun. |
| 9Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—whether green or dry—He will sweep them away. | 9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns-- whether they be green or dry--the wicked will be swept away. |
| 10The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. | 10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. |
| 11Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!” | 11Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth." |
| This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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