Psalm 37:1-40 ERV

[1] Don't get upset about evil people. Don't be jealous of those who do wrong. [2] They are like grass and other green plants that dry up quickly and then die. [3] So trust in the LORD and do good. Live on your land and be dependable. [4] Enjoy serving the LORD, and he will give you whatever you ask for. [5] Depend on the LORD. Trust in him, and he will help you. [6] He will make it as clear as day that you are right. Everyone will see that you are being fair. [7] Trust in the LORD and wait quietly for his help. Don't be angry when people make evil plans and succeed. [8] Don't become so angry and upset that you, too, want to do evil. [9] The wicked will be destroyed, but those who call to the LORD for help will get the land he promised. [10] In a short time there will be no more evil people. You can look for them all you want, but they will be gone. [11] Humble people will get the land God promised, and they will enjoy peace. [12] The wicked plan bad things for those who are good. They show their teeth in anger at them. [13] But our Lord will laugh at them. He will make sure they get what they deserve. [14] The wicked draw their swords to kill the poor and the helpless. They aim their arrows to murder all who live right. [15] But their bows will break, and their swords will pierce their own hearts. [16] A few good people are better than a large crowd of those who are evil. [17] The wicked will be destroyed, but the LORD cares for those who are good. [18] The LORD protects pure people all their life. Their reward will continue forever. [19] When trouble comes, good people will not be destroyed. When times of hunger come, good people will have plenty to eat. [20] But evil people are the LORD's enemies, and they will be destroyed. Their valleys will dry up and burn. They will be destroyed completely. [21] The wicked borrow money and never pay it back. But good people are kind and generous. [22] Everyone the Lord blesses will get the land he promised. Everyone he curses will be destroyed. [23] The LORD shows us how we should live, and he is pleased when he sees people living that way. [24] If they stumble, they will not fall, because the LORD reaches out to steady them. [25] I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left with no one to help them; I have never seen their children begging for food. [26] They are kind and generous, and their children are a blessing. [27] Stop doing anything evil and do good, and you will always have a place to live. [28] The LORD loves what is right, and he will never leave his followers without help. He will always protect them, but he will destroy the families of the wicked. [29] Good people will get the land God promised and will live on it forever. [30] Those who do what is right give good advice. Their decisions are always fair. [31] They have learned God's teachings, and they will never stop living right. [32] The wicked are always looking for ways to kill good people. [33] But the LORD will not let the wicked defeat them. He will not let good people be judged guilty. [34] Do what the LORD says, and wait for his help. He will reward you and give you the land he promised. You will see the wicked being forced to leave. [35] I once saw a wicked man who was powerful. He was like a strong, healthy tree. [36] But then he was gone. I looked for him, but I could not find him. [37] Be pure and honest. Peace loving people will have many descendants. [38] But those who break the law will be destroyed completely. And their descendants will be forced to leave the land. [39] The LORD saves those who are good. When they have troubles, he is their strength. [40] The LORD helps good people and rescues them. They depend on him, so he rescues them from the wicked.