Psalm 37:1-40 GW

[1] Do not be preoccupied with evildoers. Do not envy those who do wicked things. [2] They will quickly dry up like grass and wither away like green plants. [3] Trust the LORD, and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful. [4] Be happy with the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Entrust your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf. [6] He will make your righteousness shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun. [7] Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Do not be preoccupied with an evildoer who succeeds in his way when he carries out his schemes. [8] Let go of anger, and leave rage behind. Do not be preoccupied. It only leads to evil. [9] Evildoers will be cut off from their inheritance, but those who wait with hope for the LORD will inherit the land. [10] In a little while a wicked person will vanish. Then you can carefully examine where he was, but there will be no trace of him. [11] Oppressed people will inherit the land and will enjoy unlimited peace. [12] The wicked person plots against a righteous one and grits his teeth at him. [13] The Lord laughs at him because he has seen that his time is coming. [14] Wicked people pull out their swords and bend their bows to kill oppressed and needy people, to slaughter those who are decent. [15] But their own swords will pierce their hearts, and their bows will be broken. [16] The little that the righteous person has is better than the wealth of many wicked people. [17] The arms of wicked people will be broken, but the LORD continues to support righteous people. [18] The LORD knows the daily struggles of innocent people. Their inheritance will last forever. [19] They will not be put to shame in trying times. Even in times of famine they will be satisfied. [20] But wicked people will disappear. The LORD's enemies will vanish like the best part of a meadow. They will vanish like smoke. [21] A wicked person borrows, but he does not repay. A righteous person is generous and giving. [22] Those who are blessed by him will inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him will be cut off. [23] A person's steps are directed by the LORD, and the LORD delights in his way. [24] When he falls, he will not be thrown down headfirst because the LORD holds on to his hand. [25] I have been young, and now I am old, but I have never seen a righteous person abandoned or his descendants begging for food. [26] He is always generous and lends freely. His descendants are a blessing. [27] Avoid evil, do good, and live forever. [28] The LORD loves justice, and he will not abandon his godly ones. They will be kept safe forever, but the descendants of wicked people will be cut off. [29] Righteous people will inherit the land and live there permanently. [30] The mouth of the righteous person reflects on wisdom. His tongue speaks what is fair. [31] The teachings of his God are in his heart. His feet do not slip. [32] The wicked person watches the righteous person and seeks to kill him. [33] But the LORD will not abandon him to the wicked person's power or condemn him when he is brought to trial. [34] Wait with hope for the LORD, and follow his path, and he will honor you by giving you the land. When wicked people are cut off, you will see it. [35] I have seen a wicked person acting like a tyrant, spreading himself out like a large cedar tree. [36] But he moved on, and now there is no trace of him. I searched for him, but he could not be found. [37] Notice the innocent person, and look at the decent person, because the peacemaker has a future. [38] But rebels will be completely destroyed. The future of wicked people will be cut off. [39] The victory for righteous people comes from the LORD. He is their fortress in times of trouble. [40] The LORD helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from wicked people. He saves them because they have taken refuge in him.