Comparing Psalm 37:23-26

A person’s steps are directed by the LORD,
and the LORD delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be thrown down headfirst
because the LORD holds on to his hand.
I have been young, and now I am old,
but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned
or his descendants begging for food.
He is always generous and lends freely.
His descendants are a blessing.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Meaning-for-Meaning (Closest Natural Equivalence)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.

I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Word-for-Word (Formal Equivalence)

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The valiant one whose steps are guided by the LORD,
who will delight in his way,
May stumble, but he will never fall,
for the Lord holds his hand.

Neither in my youth, nor now in old age
have I seen the righteous one abandoned
or his offspring begging for bread.
All day long he is gracious and lends,
and his offspring become a blessing.
New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
Thought-for-Thought (Functional Equivalence)

The LORD guides us in the way we should go
and protects those who please him.
If they fall, they will not stay down,
because the LORD will help them up.

I am old now; I have lived a long time,
but I have never seen good people abandoned by the Lord
or their children begging for food.
At all times they give freely and lend to others,
and their children are a blessing.
Good News Translation (GNT)
Paraphrase (Retelling)

Visit our Bible Translation Guide for more information about the major differences between the clear, natural English of God’s Word and other translations.