Read the Bible

¹ Certainly God is good to Israel,
and to those whose motives are pure!
² But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my feet almost slid out from under me.
³ For I envied those who are proud,
as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.
⁴ For they suffer no pain;
their bodies are strong and well-fed.
⁵ They are immune to the trouble common to men;
they do not suffer as other men do.
⁶ Arrogance is their necklace,
and violence their clothing.
⁷ Their prosperity causes them to do wrong;
their thoughts are sinful.
⁸ They mock and say evil things;
they proudly threaten violence.
⁹ They speak as if they rule in heaven,
and lay claim to the earth.
¹⁰ Therefore they have more than enough food to eat,
and even suck up the water of the sea.
¹¹ They say, "How does God know what we do?
Is the sovereign One aware of what goes on?"
¹² Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like,
those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer.
¹³ I concluded, "Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure
and maintained a pure lifestyle.
¹⁴ I suffer all day long,
and am punished every morning."
¹⁵ If I had publicized these thoughts,
I would have betrayed your loyal followers.
¹⁶ When I tried to make sense of this,
it was troubling to me.
¹⁷ Then I entered the precincts of God's temple,
and understood the destiny of the wicked.
¹⁸ Surely you put them in slippery places;
you bring them down to ruin.
¹⁹ How desolate they become in a mere moment!
Terrifying judgments make their demise complete!
²⁰ They are like a dream after one wakes up.
O Lord, when you awake you will despise them.
²¹ Yes, my spirit was bitter,
and my insides felt sharp pain.
²² I was ignorant and lacked insight;
I was as senseless as an animal before you.
²³ But I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me by your wise advice,
and then you will lead me to a position of honor.
²⁵ Whom do I have in heaven but you?
I desire no one but you on earth.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may grow weak,
but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.
²⁷ Yes, look! Those far from you die;
you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you.
²⁸ But as for me, God's presence is all I need.
I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter,
as I declare all the things you have done.