Chapter 37
1 Don’t fret because of evildoers , neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness .
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass , and wither like the green herb .
3 Trust in the LORD , and do good . Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture .
4 Also delight yourself in the LORD , and he will give you the desires of your heart .
5 Commit your way to the LORD . Trust also in him , and he will do this :
6 he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.
7 Rest in the LORD , and wait patiently for him . Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way , because of the man who makes wicked plots happen .
8 Cease from anger , and forsake wrath . Don’t fret ; it leads only to evildoing .
9 For evildoers shall be cut off , but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
10 For yet a little while , and the wicked will be no more . Yes, though you look for his place , he isn’t there.
11 But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace .
12 The wicked plots against the just , and gnashes at him with his teeth .
13 The Lord will laugh at him , for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword , and have bent their bow , to cast down the poor and needy , to kill those who are upright on the path .
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart . Their bows shall be broken .
16 Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked .
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken , but the LORD upholds the righteous .
18 The LORD knows the days of the perfect . Their inheritance shall be forever .
19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil . In the days of famine they shall be satisfied .
20 But the wicked shall perish . The enemies of the LORD shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish — vanish like smoke .
21 The wicked borrow , and don’t pay back , but the righteous give generously .
22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off .
23 A man ’s steps are established by the LORD . He delights in his way .
24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall , for the LORD holds him up with his hand .
25 I have been young , and now am old , yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken , nor his children begging for bread .
26 All day long he deals graciously , and lends . His offspring is blessed .
27 Depart from evil , and do good . Live securely forever .
28 For the LORD loves justice , and doesn’t forsake his saints . They are preserved forever , but the children of the wicked shall be cut off .
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever .
30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom . His tongue speaks justice .
31 The law of his God is in his heart . None of his steps shall slide .
32 The wicked watch the righteous , and seek to kill him .
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand , nor condemn him when he is judged .
34 Wait for the LORD , and keep his way , and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off , you shall see it .
35 I have seen the wicked in great power , spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
36 But he passed away , and behold , he was not . Yes , I sought him , but he could not be found .
37 Mark the perfect man , and see the upright , for there is a future for the man of peace .
38 As for transgressors , they shall be destroyed together . The future of the wicked shall be cut off .
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD . He is their stronghold in the time of trouble .
40 The LORD helps them and rescues them . He rescues them from the wicked and saves them , because they have taken refuge in him .