2 - But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
 
3 - For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
 
4 - For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
 
5 - They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
 
6 - Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
 
7 - Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
 
8 - They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
 
9 - They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
 
10 - Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
 
11 - And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
 
12 - Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
 
13 - Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
 
14 - For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
 
15 - If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
 
16 - When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
 
17 - Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
 
18 - Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
 
19 - How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
 
20 - As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
 
21 - Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
 
22 - So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
 
23 - Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
 
24 - Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
 
25 - Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
 
26 - My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
 
27 - For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
 
28 - But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
 
The Holy Bible, King James Version. New York: American Bible Society:  
, 2010. 
. Nov 04, 2025.