Psalm 37:1-40 NCV

[1] Don't be upset because of evil people. Don't be jealous of those who do wrong, [2] because 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 feed on truth. [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, and your fairness 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 those who trust the LORD will inherit the land. [10] In a little while the wicked will be no more. You may look for them, but they will be gone. [11] People who are not proud will inherit the land and 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, because he sees that their day is coming. [14] The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows to kill the poor and helpless, to kill those who are honest. [15] But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will break. [16] It is 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, and 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 borrow and don't pay back, but those who do right give freely to others. [22] Those whom the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be sent away. [23] When people's steps follow the LORD, God is pleased with their ways. [24] If they stumble, they will not fall, because the LORD holds their hand. [25] I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen good people left helpless or 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, so you will live forever. [28] The LORD loves justice and 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 and will live in it forever. [30] Good people speak with wisdom, and they say what is fair. [31] The teachings of their God are in their heart, so they do not fail to keep them. [32] The wicked watch for good people so that they may kill them. [33] But the LORD will not take away his protection or let good people be judged 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 sent away. [35] I saw a wicked and cruel man who 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, and 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 strength 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.