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Psalms 73 (CEV)

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¹ (A psalm by Asaph.) God is truly good to Israel, especially to everyone with a pure heart. ² But I almost stumbled and fell, ³ because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people and to watch them prosper. ⁴ They never have to suffer, they stay healthy, ⁵ and they don't have troubles like everyone else. ⁶ Their pride is like a necklace, and they commit sin more often than they dress themselves. ⁷ Their eyes poke out with fat, and their minds are flooded with foolish thoughts. ⁸ They sneer and say cruel things, and because of their pride, they make violent threats. ⁹ They dare to speak against God and to order others around. ¹⁰ God will bring his people back, and they will drink the water he so freely gives. ¹¹ Only evil people would say, "God Most High cannot know everything!" ¹² Yet all goes well for them, and they live in peace. ¹³ What good did it do me to keep my thoughts pure and refuse to do wrong? ¹⁴ I am sick all day, and I am punished each morning. ¹⁵ If I had said evil things, I would not have been loyal to your people. ¹⁶ It was hard for me to understand all this! ¹⁷ Then I went to your temple, and there I understood what will happen to my enemies. ¹⁸ You will make them stumble, never to get up again. ¹⁹ They will be terrified, suddenly swept away and no longer there. ²⁰ They will disappear, Lord, despised like a bad dream the morning after. ²¹ Once I was bitter and brokenhearted. ²² I was stupid and ignorant, and I treated you as a wild animal would. ²³ But I never really left you, and you hold my right hand. ²⁴ Your advice has been my guide, and later you will welcome me in glory. ²⁵ In heaven I have only you, and on this earth you are all I want. ²⁶ My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever. ²⁷ Powerful LORD God, all who stay far from you will be lost, and you will destroy those who are unfaithful. ²⁸ It is good for me to be near you. I choose you as my protector, and I will tell about your wonderful deeds.