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