Chapter 73

  Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are clean in heart.  

  But as for me, my feet had almost gone from under me; I was near to slipping;  

  Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.  

  For they have no pain; their bodies are fat and strong.  

  They are not in trouble as others are; they have no part in the unhappy fate of men.  

  For this reason pride is round them like a chain; they are clothed with violent behaviour as with a robe.  

  Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.  

  Their thoughts are deep with evil designs; their talk from their seats of power is of cruel acts.  

  Their mouth goes up to heaven; their tongues go walking through the earth.  

  For this reason they are full of bread; and water is ever flowing for them.  

  And they say, How will the Lord see this? is there knowledge in the Most High?  

  Truly, such are the sinners; they do well at all times, and their wealth is increased.  

  As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;  

  For I have been troubled all the day; every morning have I undergone punishment.  

  If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.  

  When my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;  

  Till I went into God's holy place, and saw the end of the evil-doers.  

  You put their feet where there was danger of slipping, so that they go down into destruction.  

  How suddenly are they wasted! fears are the cause of their destruction.  

  As a dream when one is awake, they are ended; they are like an image gone out of mind when sleep is over.  

  My heart was made bitter, and I was pained by the bite of grief:  

  As for me, I was foolish, and without knowledge; I was like a beast before you.  

  But still I am ever with you; you have taken me by my right hand.  

  Your wisdom will be my guide, and later you will put me in a place of honour.  

  Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I have no desire for anything on earth.  

  My flesh and my heart are wasting away: but God is the Rock of my heart and my eternal heritage.  

  For those who are far away from you will come to destruction: you will put an end to all those who have not kept faith with you.  

  But it is good for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.