| 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.
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