New Living Translation | International Standard Version |
1I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” | 1I told myself, "I will keep watch over my tongue to keep from sinning. I will muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around." |
2But as I stood there in silence— not even speaking of good things— the turmoil within me grew worse. | 2I was as silent as a mute person; I said nothing, not even something good, and my distress deepened. |
3The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words: | 3My heart within me became incensed; as I thought about it, the fire burned. Then I spoke out: |
4“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. | 4"LORD, let me know how my life ends, and the standard by which you will measure my days, whatever it is! Then I will know how transient my life is. |
5You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude | 5Look, you have made my life span fit in your hand; It is nothing compared to yours. Surely every person at their best is a puff of wind. Interlude |
6We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. | 6In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them. |
7And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. | 7How long, LORD, will I wait expectantly? I have placed my hope in you. |
8Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. | 8Deliver me from all my transgressions, and do not let fools scorn me." |
9I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you. | 9I remain silent; I do not open my mouth, for you are the one who acted. |
10But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. | 10Stop scourging me, since I have been crushed by your heavy hand. |
11When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. Interlude | 11You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude |
12Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest— a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. | 12Hear my prayer, LORD, pay attention to my cry, and do not ignore my tears. I am an alien in your presence, a stranger just like my ancestors were. |
13Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more. | 13Stop looking at me with chastisement, so I can smile again, before I depart and am no more. |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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