English Standard Version

International Standard Version

1Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

1God is indeed good to Israel, to those pure in heart.

2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.

2Now as for me, my feet nearly stumbled, as I almost lost my step.

3For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

3For I was envious of the proud when I observed the prosperity of the wicked.

4For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.

4For there is no struggle at their deaths, and their bodies are healthy.

5They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.

5They do not experience problems common to ordinary people; they aren't afflicted as others are.

6Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.

6Therefore pride is their necklace and violence covers them like a garment.

7Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.

7Their eyes bulge from obesity and the imaginations of their mind cross the border into sin.

8They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.

8In their mockery they speak evil; from their arrogant position they speak oppression.

9They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

9They choose to speak against heaven; while they talk about things on earth.

10Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.

10Therefore God's people return there and drink it all in like water until they're satiated.

11And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

11Then they say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"

12Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.

12Just look at these wicked people! They're perpetually carefree as they increase their wealth.

13All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.

13I kept my heart pure for nothing and kept my hands clean from guilt.

14For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.

14For I suffer all day long and I am punished every morning.

15If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

15If I say, "I will talk like this," I would betray a generation of your children.

16But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,

16When I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me

17until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

17until I entered the sanctuaries of God. Then I understood their destiny.

18Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.

18You have certainly set them in slippery places; you will make them fall to their ruin.

19How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!

19How desolate they quickly become, completely destroyed by calamities.

20Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.

20Like a dream when one awakens, Lord, you will despise their image when you arise.

21When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,

21When I chose to be bitter I was emotionally pained.

22I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

22Then, I was too stupid and didn't realize I was acting like a wild animal with you.

23Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

23But now I am always with you, for you keep holding my right hand.

24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

24You will guide me with your wise advice, and later you will receive me with honor.

25Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

25Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire nothing on this earth.

26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

26My body and mind may fail, but God is my strength and my portion forever.

27For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

27Those far from you will perish; you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.

28But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

28As for me, how good for me it is that God is near! I have made the Lord GOD my refuge so I can tell about all your deeds.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.