Psalm 50

International Children’s Bible

⁷ God says, “My people, listen to me.
    Israel, I will testify against you.
    I am God, your God.
⁸ I do not scold you for your sacrifices.
    You always bring me your burnt offerings.
⁹ But I do not need the bulls from your stalls
    or the goats from your pens.
¹⁰ Every animal of the forest is already mine.
    The cattle on a thousand hills are mine.
¹¹ I know every bird on the mountains.
    Every living thing in the fields is mine.
¹² If I were hungry, I would not tell you.
    The earth and everything on it are mine.
¹³ I don’t eat the meat of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats.
¹⁴ Give an offering to show thanks to God.
    Give God Most High what you have promised.
¹⁵ Call to me in times of trouble.
    I will save you, and you will honor me.”

¹⁶ But God says to the wicked people,
    “Why do you talk about my laws?
    Why do you mention my agreement?
¹⁷ You hate my teachings.
    You turn your back on what I say.
¹⁸ When you see a thief, you join him.
    You take part in adultery.
¹⁹ You don’t stop your mouth from speaking evil.
    Your tongue makes up lies.
²⁰ You speak against your brother.
    You lie about your mother’s son.
²¹ I have kept quiet while you did these things.
    So you thought I was just like you.
But I will scold you.
    I will accuse you to your face.

²² “Think about this, you people who forget God.
    Otherwise, I will tear you apart,
    and no one will save you.
²³ Those people honor me
    who give me offerings to show thanks.
And I, God, will save those who do that.”