Psalm 37:1-40 ICB

[1] Don't be upset because of evil people. Don't be jealous of those who do wrong. [2] Like the grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die away. [3] Trust the Lord and do good. Live in the land and enjoy its safety. [4] Enjoy serving the Lord. And he will give you what you want. [5] Depend on the Lord. Trust him, and he will take care of you. [6] Then your goodness will shine like the sun. Your fairness will shine like the noonday sun. [7] Wait and trust the Lord. Don't be upset when others get rich or when someone else's plans succeed. [8] Don't get angry. Don't be upset; it only leads to trouble. [9] Evil people will be sent away. But people who trust the Lord will inherit the land. [10] In a little while there will be no more wicked people. You may look for them, but they will be gone. [11] People who are not proud will inherit the land. They will enjoy complete peace. [12] The wicked make evil plans against good people. They grind their teeth at them in anger. [13] But the Lord laughs at the wicked. He sees that their day is coming. [14] The wicked draw their swords. They bend their bows. They try to kill the poor and helpless. They want to kill those who are honest. [15] But their swords will stab their own hearts. Their bows will break. [16] It's better to have little and be right than to have much and be wrong. [17] The power of the wicked will be broken. But the Lord supports those who do right. [18] The Lord watches over the lives of the innocent. Their reward will last forever. [19] They will not be ashamed when trouble comes. They will be full in times of hunger. [20] But the wicked will die. The Lord's enemies will be like the flowers of the fields. They will disappear like smoke. [21] The wicked people borrow but don't pay back. But those who do right give freely to others. [22] Those people the Lord blesses will inherit the land. But those he curses will be sent away. [23] When a man's steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with his ways. [24] If he stumbles, he will not fall, because the Lord holds his hand. [25] I was young, and now I am old. But I have never seen the Lord leave good people helpless. I have never seen their children begging for food. [26] Good people always lend freely to others. And their children are a blessing. [27] Stop doing evil and do good. Then you will live forever. [28] The Lord loves justice. He will not leave those who worship him. He will always protect them. But the children of the wicked will die. [29] Good people will inherit the land. They will live in it forever. [30] A good person speaks with wisdom. He says what is fair. [31] The teachings of his God are in his heart. He does not fail to keep them. [32] The wicked watch for good people. They want to kill them. [33] The Lord will not take away his protection. He will not judge good people guilty. [34] Wait for the Lord's help and follow him. He will honor you and give you the land. And you will see the wicked people sent away. [35] I saw a wicked and cruel man. He looked strong like a healthy tree in good soil. [36] But he died and was gone. I looked for him, but he couldn't be found. [37] Think of the innocent person. Watch the honest one. The man who has peace will have children to live after him. [38] But sinners will be destroyed. In the end the wicked will die. [39] The Lord saves good people. He is their strong city in times of trouble. [40] The Lord helps them and saves them. He saves them from the wicked because they trust in him for protection.