² But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;^(B)
    I had nearly lost my foothold.^(C)
3 For I envied^(D) the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.^(E)

⁴ They have no struggles;
    their bodies are healthy and strong.^[a]
5 They are free^(F) from common human burdens;
    they are not plagued by human ills.
⁶ Therefore pride^(G) is their necklace;^(H)
    they clothe themselves with violence.^(I)
7 From their callous hearts^(J) comes iniquity^[b];
    their evil imaginations have no limits.
⁸ They scoff, and speak with malice;^(K)
    with arrogance^(L) they threaten oppression.^(M)
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
    and their tongues take possession of the earth.
¹⁰ Therefore their people turn to them
    and drink up waters in abundance.^[c]
11 They say, “How would God know?
    Does the Most High know anything?”

¹² This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care,^(N) they go on amassing wealth.^(O)

¹³ Surely in vain^(P) I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.^(Q)
14 All day long I have been afflicted,^(R)
    and every morning brings new punishments.

¹⁵ If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
¹⁶ When I tried to understand^(S) all this,
    it troubled me deeply
¹⁷ till I entered the sanctuary^(T) of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.^(U)

¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery ground;^(V)
    you cast them down to ruin.^(W)
19 How suddenly^(X) are they destroyed,
    completely swept away^(Y) by terrors!
²⁰ They are like a dream^(Z) when one awakes;^(AA)
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.^(AB)

²¹ When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
²² I was senseless^(AC) and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast^(AD) before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.^(AE)
24 You guide^(AF) me with your counsel,^(AG)
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?^(AH)
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.^(AI)
26 My flesh and my heart^(AJ) may fail,^(AK)
    but God is the strength^(AL) of my heart
    and my portion^(AM) forever.

²⁷ Those who are far from you will perish;^(AN)
    you destroy all who are unfaithful^(AO) to you.
²⁸ But as for me, it is good to be near God.^(AP)
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;^(AQ)
    I will tell of all your deeds.^(AR)

“My people who live in Zion,^(O)
    do not be afraid^(P) of the Assyrians,
who beat^(Q) you with a rod^(R)
    and lift up a club against you, as Egypt did.
²⁵ Very soon^(S) my anger against you will end
    and my wrath^(T) will be directed to their destruction.^(U)”

²⁶ The Lord Almighty will lash^(V) them with a whip,
    as when he struck down Midian^(W) at the rock of Oreb;
and he will raise his staff^(X) over the waters,^(Y)
    as he did in Egypt.
²⁷ In that day^(Z) their burden^(AA) will be lifted from your shoulders,
    their yoke^(AB) from your neck;^(AC)
the yoke^(AD) will be broken
    because you have grown so fat.^[b]

²⁸ They enter Aiath;
    they pass through Migron;^(AE)
    they store supplies^(AF) at Mikmash.^(AG)
29 They go over the pass, and say,
    “We will camp overnight at Geba.^(AH)”
Ramah^(AI) trembles;
    Gibeah^(AJ) of Saul flees.^(AK)
30 Cry out, Daughter Gallim!^(AL)
    Listen, Laishah!
    Poor Anathoth!^(AM)
31 Madmenah is in flight;
    the people of Gebim take cover.
³² This day they will halt at Nob;^(AN)
    they will shake their fist^(AO)
at the mount of Daughter Zion,^(AP)
    at the hill of Jerusalem.