Psalm 37:1-40 GNT

[1] Don't be worried on account of the wicked; don't be jealous of those who do wrong. [2] They will soon disappear like grass that dries up; they will die like plants that wither. [3] Trust in the LORD and do good; live in the land and be safe. [4] Seek your happiness in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desire. [5] Give yourself to the LORD; trust in him, and he will help you; [6] he will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun. [7] Be patient and wait for the LORD to act; don't be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans. [8] Don't give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble. [9] Those who trust in the LORD will possess the land, but the wicked will be driven out. [10] Soon the wicked will disappear; you may look for them, but you won't find them; [11] but the humble will possess the land and enjoy prosperity and peace. [12] The wicked plot against good people and glare at them with hate. [13] But the Lord laughs at wicked people, because he knows they will soon be destroyed. [14] The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows to kill the poor and needy, to slaughter those who do what is right; [15] but they will be killed by their own swords, and their bows will be smashed. [16] The little that a good person owns is worth more than the wealth of all the wicked, [17] because the LORD will take away the strength of the wicked, but protect those who are good. [18] The LORD takes care of those who obey him, and the land will be theirs forever. [19] They will not suffer when times are bad; they will have enough in time of famine. [20] But the wicked will die; the enemies of the LORD will vanish like wild flowers; they will disappear like smoke. [21] The wicked borrow and never pay back, but good people are generous with their gifts. [22] Those who are blessed by the LORD will possess the land, but those who are cursed by him will be driven out. [23] The LORD guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please him. [24] If they fall, they will not stay down, because the LORD will help them up. [25] I am old now; I have lived a long time, but I have never seen good people abandoned by the LORD or their children begging for food. [26] At all times they give freely and lend to others, and their children are a blessing. [27] Turn away from evil and do good, and your descendants will always live in the land; [28] for the LORD loves what is right and does not abandon his faithful people. He protects them forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be driven out. [29] The righteous will possess the land and live in it forever. [30] The words of good people are wise, and they are always fair. [31] They keep the law of their God in their hearts and never depart from it. [32] Wicked people watch good people and try to kill them; [33] but the LORD will not abandon them to their enemy's power or let them be condemned when they are on trial. [34] Put your hope in the LORD and obey his commands; he will honor you by giving you the land, and you will see the wicked driven out. [35] I once knew someone wicked who was a tyrant; he towered over everyone like a cedar of Lebanon; [36] but later I passed by, and he wasn't there; I looked for him, but couldn't find him. [37] Notice good people, observe the righteous; peaceful people have descendants, [38] but sinners are completely destroyed, and their descendants are wiped out. [39] The LORD saves the righteous and protects them in times of trouble. [40] He helps them and rescues them; he saves them from the wicked, because they go to him for protection.