Psalm 37:1-40 RSV

[1] Fret not yourself because of the wicked, be not envious of wrongdoers! [2] For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. [3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. [4] Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. [6] He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday. [7] Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! [8] Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. [9] For the wicked shall be cut off; but those who wait for the LORD shall possess the land. [10] Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look well at his place, he will not be there. [11] But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. [12] The wicked plots against the righteous, and gnashes his teeth at him; [13] but the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. [14] The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows, to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those who walk uprightly; [15] their sword shall enter their own heart, and 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 blameless, and their heritage will abide for ever; [19] they are not put to shame in evil times, in the days of famine they have abundance. [20] But the wicked perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures, they vanish-like smoke they vanish away. [21] The wicked borrows, and cannot pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; [22] for those blessed by the LORD shall possess the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off. [23] The steps of a man are from the LORD, and he establishes him in whose way he delights; [24] though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD is the stay of his hand. [25] I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. [26] He is ever giving liberally and lending, and his children become a blessing. [27] Depart from evil, and do good; so shall you abide for ever. [28] For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. The righteous shall be preserved for ever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. [29] The righteous shall possess the land, and dwell upon it for ever. [30] The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. [31] The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. [32] The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. [33] The LORD will not abandon him to his power, or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. [34] Wait for the LORD, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to possess the land; you will look on the destruction of the wicked. [35] I have seen a wicked man overbearing, and towering like a cedar of Lebanon. [36] Again I passed by, and lo, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. [37] Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the man of peace. [38] But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off. [39] The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. [40] The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.