[1] Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean in heart. [2]
But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to
slipping; [3] Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the
well-being of the wrongdoers. [4] For they have no pain; their bodies are
fat and strong. [5] They are not in trouble as others are; they have no
part in the unhappy fate of men. [6] For this reason pride is round them
like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe. [7]
Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
[8] Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats
of power is of cruel acts. [9] Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues
go walking through the earth. [10] For this reason they are full of bread;
and water is ever flowing for them. [11] And they say, How will the Lord
see this? is there knowledge in the Most High? [12] Truly, such are the
sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased. [13] As
for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in
righteousness; [14] For I have been troubled all the day; every morning
have I undergone punishment. [15] If I would make clear what it is like, I
would say, You are false to the generation of your children. [16] When my
thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my
eyes; [17] Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the
evil-doers. [18] You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so
that they go down into destruction. [19] How suddenly are they wasted!
fears are the cause of their destruction. [20] As a dream when one is
awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep
is over. [21] My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of
grief: [22] As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a
beast before you. [23] But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by
my right hand. [24] Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me
in a place of honour. [25] Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I
have no desire for anything on earth. [26] My flesh and my heart are
wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage. [27]
For those who are far away from you will come to destruction: you will put
an end to all those who have not kept faith with you. [28] But it is good
for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I
may make clear all his works.
