¹Truly god is good to Israel, and to those who are pure in heart.
²But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had nearly slipped.
³For I was envious of the wicked, when I saw the prosperity of the ungodly.
⁴For there is no end to their death, and their folly is great.
⁵They do not share in the toil of men; nor are they scourged like other men.
⁶Therefore pride holds them fast; they have concealed their wickedness and ungodliness.
⁷Their iniquity comes through like grease; they do according to the evil dictates of the heart.
⁸They imagine and speak evil things: they talk unjustly against the most high.
⁹They have set their mouths in the skies, but their tongues drag in the dirt;
¹⁰therefore my people will return here, and they will have everything in abundance.
¹¹They will say, How does god know? Is there knowledge in the most high?
¹²Look, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they are strong in power.
¹³As for me, I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence.
¹⁴All day long, I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.
¹⁵If I say, I will do as they do, this is sinful for me.

¹⁶When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.
¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of god; then, I understood their end.

¹⁸You appointed their portion according to their deceitfulness; you cast them down when they exalted themselves.
¹⁹How they are brought into desolation, as in a moment. They are utterly consumed with terrors.
²⁰As one who awakes from a dream, so, master, you will despise their idolatry.
²¹Thus, my heart was grieved, and my conscience troubled me.
²²I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like an animal before you.

²³You will comfort me with your counsel, and lead me according to your honor.
²⁴Who have I in the skies but you? Who have I desired on land besides you?
²⁵Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you have held me by my right hand.
²⁶My flesh and my heart fail; but god is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷For look, those who are far from you will perish; you have destroyed all those who go astray from you.
²⁸I was pleased to draw near to god; I have put my trust in Master Yahvah, that I may declare all his works.