Psalm 37:1-40 CEV

[1] Don't be annoyed by anyone who does wrong, and don't envy them. [2] They will soon disappear like grass without rain. [3] Trust the LORD and live right! The land will be yours, and you will be safe. [4] Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you your heart's desire. [5] Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. [6] Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right. [7] Be patient and trust the LORD. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things. [8] Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin. [9] All sinners will disappear, but if you trust the LORD, the land will be yours. [10] Sinners will soon disappear, never to be found, [11] but the poor will take the land and enjoy a big harvest. [12] Merciless people make plots against good people and snarl like animals, [13] but the Lord laughs and knows their time is coming soon. [14] The wicked kill with swords and shoot arrows to murder the poor and the needy and all who do right. [15] But they will be killed by their own swords, and their arrows will be broken. [16] It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. [17] The wicked will lose all of their power, but the LORD gives strength to everyone who is good. [18] Those who obey the LORD are daily in his care, and what he has given them will be theirs forever. [19] They won't be in trouble when times are bad, and they will have plenty when food is scarce. [20] Wicked people are enemies of the LORD and will vanish like smoke from a field on fire. [21] An evil person borrows and never pays back; a good person is generous and never stops giving. [22] Everyone the LORD blesses will receive the land; everyone the LORD curses will be destroyed. [23] If you do what the LORD wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. [24] The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall. [25] As long as I can remember, good people have never been left helpless, and their children have never gone begging for food. [26] They gladly give and lend, and their children turn out good. [27] If you stop sinning and start doing right, you will keep living and be secure forever. [28] The LORD loves justice, and he won't ever desert his faithful people. He always protects them, but destroys the children of the wicked. [29] God's people will own the land and live here forever. [30] Words of wisdom come when good people speak for justice. [31] They remember God's teachings, and they never take a wrong step. [32] The wicked try to trap and kill good people, [33] but the LORD is on their side, and he will defend them when they are on trial. [34] Trust the LORD and follow him. He will give you the land, and you will see the wicked destroyed. [35] I have seen brutal people abuse others and grow strong like trees in rich soil. [36] Suddenly they disappeared! I looked, but they were gone and no longer there. [37] Think of the bright future waiting for all the families of honest and innocent and peace-loving people. [38] But not a trace will be left of the wicked or their families. [39] The LORD protects his people, and they can come to him in times of trouble. [40] The LORD helps them and saves them from the wicked because they run to him.