Psalm 37:1-40 NET

[1] Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed. Do not envy evildoers. [2] For they will quickly dry up like grass, and wither away like plants. [3] Trust in the LORD and do what is right. Settle in the land and maintain your integrity. [4] Then you will take delight in the LORD, and he will answer your prayers. [5] Commit your future to the LORD. Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf. [6] He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause. [7] Wait patiently for the LORD! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes. [8] Do not be angry and frustrated. Do not fret. That only leads to trouble. [9] Wicked men will be wiped out, but those who rely on the LORD are the ones who will possess the land. [10] Evil men will soon disappear; you will stare at the spot where they once were, but they will be gone. [11] But the oppressed will possess the land and enjoy great prosperity. [12] Evil men plot against the godly and viciously attack them. [13] The Lord laughs in disgust at them, for he knows that their day is coming. [14] Evil men draw their swords and prepare their bows, to bring down the oppressed and needy, and to slaughter those who are godly. [15] Their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. [16] The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men, [17] for evil men will lose their power, but the LORD sustains the godly. [18] The LORD watches over the innocent day by day, and they possess a permanent inheritance. [19] They will not be ashamed when hard times come; when famine comes they will have enough to eat. [20] But evil men will die; the LORD's enemies will be incinerated-they will go up in smoke. [21] Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous. [22] Surely those favored by the LORD will possess the land, but those rejected by him will be wiped out. [23] The LORD grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable. [24] Even if he trips, he will not fall headlong, for the LORD holds his hand. [25] I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen the godly abandoned, or their children forced to search for food. [26] All day long they show compassion and lend to others, and their children are blessed. [27] Turn away from evil. Do what is right. Then you will enjoy lasting security. [28] For the LORD promotes justice, and never abandons his faithful followers. They are permanently secure, but the children of the wicked are wiped out. [29] The godly will possess the land and will dwell in it permanently. [30] The godly speak wise words and promote justice. [31] The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip. [32] The wicked set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them. [33] But the LORD does not surrender the godly, or allow them to be condemned in a court of law. [34] Rely on the LORD. Obey his commands. Then he will permit you to possess the land; you will see the demise of the wicked. [35] I have seen ruthless, wicked people growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil. [36] But then one passes by, and suddenly they have disappeared. I looked for them, but they could not be found. [37] Take note of the one who has integrity. Observe the upright. For the one who promotes peace has a future. [38] Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; the wicked have no future. [39] But the LORD delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble. [40] The LORD helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked and delivers them, for they seek his protection.