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- ¶ TRULY God is good to Israel, and to those who are pure in heart.
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- But as for me, my feet were almost gone;
my steps had well nigh slipped.
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- For I was envious of the wicked when I saw the prosperity of the ungodly.
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- For there is no end to their death, and their folly is great.
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- They share not in the toil of men;
neither are they scourged like other men.
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- Therefore pride holds them fast;
they have concealed their wickedness and ungodliness.
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- Their iniquity comes through like grease;
they do according to the evil dictates of the heart.
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- They imagine and speak evil things: they talk unjustly against the most High.
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- They have set their mouths in the sky, but their tongues drag in the dirt;
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- Therefore will my people return hither, and they shall have everything in abundance.
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- They shall say, How does God know?
and is there knowledge in the most High?
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- Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world;
they are strong in power.
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- As for me, I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence.
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- All the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
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- ¶ If I say, I shall do as they do, this is sinful for me.
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- When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.
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- Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then understood I their end.
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- Thou didst appoint their portion according to their deceitfulness;
thou didst cast them down when they exalted themselves.
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- How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
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- As one who awakes from a dream, so, O LORD, thou shalt despise their idolatry.
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- ¶ Thus my heart was grieved, and my conscience troubled me.
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- So foolish was I, and ignorant;
I was as a beast before thee.
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- Thou shalt comfort me with thy counsel, and lead me according to thy honour.
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- Whom have I in heaven but thee?
and whom have I desired upon earth besides thee?
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- Nevertheless I am continually with thee;
thou hast held me by my right hand.
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- My flesh and my heart fail;
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
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- For lo, they that are far from thee shall perish;
thou hast destroyed all them that go astray from thee.
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- I was pleased to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the LORD God, that I mar declare all thy works.
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