-
73:1 Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. 73:2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. 73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 73:4 For they have no pain; their bodies are sound and sleek. 73:5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not plagued like other people. 73:6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. 73:7 Their eyes swell out with fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. 73:8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. 73:9 They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues range over the earth. 73:10 Therefore the people turn and praise them, and find no fault in them. 73:11 And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" 73:12 Such are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. 73:13 All in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. 73:14 For all day long I have been plagued, and am punished every morning. 73:15 If I had said, "I will talk on in this way," I would have been untrue to the circle of your children. 73:16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 73:17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. 73:18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 73:19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! 73:20 They are like a dream when one awakes; on awaking you despise their phantoms. 73:21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 73:22 I was stupid and ignorant; I was like a brute beast toward you. 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor. 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 73:27 Indeed, those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you. 73:28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, to tell of all your works.