BOOK III Surely God Is Good to Israel 3 UDB because I saw those who proudly said that they did not need God, and I wanted to be like them. I saw that they became wealthy even though they were wicked. BSB BSB: For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 UDB Those people do not suffer from sickness; they are always strong and healthy. BSB BSB: They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.
5 UDB They do not have the troubles that other people have; they do not have problems as others do. BSB BSB: They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6 UDB So they are proud, as proud as a woman with a beautiful necklace. They are as proud of their violent actions as some people are proud of their beautiful robes. BSB BSB: Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
7 UDB From their inner beings pour out evil deeds, and in their inner beings they are always thinking about more evil things to do. BSB BSB: From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8 UDB They scoff at other people, and they talk about doing evil things to them; they are proud while they plan to oppress others. BSB BSB: They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 UDB They say evil things about God, who is in heaven, and they talk boastfully about things that they have done here on the earth. BSB BSB: They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10 UDB The result is that people pay attention to them and listen to everything they say. BSB BSB: So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11 UDB Wicked people say to themselves, "God will certainly not know what we have done; people say that he is greater than any other god, but he cannot find out." BSB BSB: The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12 UDB That is what wicked people are like; they never worry about anything, and they are always becoming richer. BSB BSB: Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.
13 UDB So, God, I think it is useless that I have always done what you want me to and that I have not committed sins. BSB BSB: Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
14 UDB During each day I have problems, and every morning you punish me. BSB BSB: For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15 UDB But if I had said these things out loud in front of others, I would have been sinning against your people. BSB BSB: If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
17 UDB But when I went to your temple, you spoke to me, and I understood what will happen to the wicked people after they die. BSB BSB: until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
18 UDB Now I know that you will surely put them in dangerous places where they will fall down and die. BSB BSB: Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
19 UDB They will be destroyed instantly; they will die in terrible ways. BSB BSB: How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
20 UDB They will disappear as quickly as a dream disappears when a person awakes in the morning; Lord, when you arise, you will cause them to disappear. BSB BSB: Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
21 UDB When I felt sad in my inner being and my feelings were hurt, BSB BSB: When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
22 UDB I was stupid and ignorant, and I behaved like an animal toward you. BSB BSB: I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
23 UDB But I am always close to you, and you hold my hand. BSB BSB: Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
24 UDB You guide me by teaching me, and at the end of my life, you will receive me and honor me. BSB BSB: You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
25 UDB You are in heaven, and I belong to you; there is nothing on this earth that I desire more than that. BSB BSB: Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
26 UDB My body and my mind may become very weak, but, God, you continue to enable me to be strong; I belong to you forever. BSB BSB: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 UDB Those who remain far from you will be destroyed; you will get rid of those who abandon you. BSB BSB: Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.
28 UDB But as for me, it is wonderful to be near to God and to have Yahweh protect me and to proclaim to others all that he has done for me. BSB BSB: But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.