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1 TRULY God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. | |
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. | |
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. | |
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. | |
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. | |
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. | |
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. | |
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. | |
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. | |
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. | |
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? | |
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. | |
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. | |
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. | |
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. | |
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; | |
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. | |
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. | |
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. | |
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. | |
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. | |
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. | |
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. | |
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. | |
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. | |
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. | |
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. | |
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. | |
