| 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. |
