Psalms 37:12-24

12Wicked people think about how to hurt righteous people. They show their teeth to frighten good people.

13But my Lord laughs at those wicked people, because he knows that their day of punishment will come.

14Wicked people get out their swords, and they prepare to shoot their arrows. They try to make poor and helpless people fall down. They try to destroy people who do what is right.

15But their swords will go into their own hearts. Their bows will break in pieces.

16It is better to do what is right and only have a few things, than to be wicked and have many things.

17The Lord keeps righteous people safe, but he will destroy the power of wicked people.

18If anyone lives a completely good life, the Lord takes care of them. His gifts to them will last for ever.

19When times of trouble come, they will still be safe. In a time of famine, they will have enough to eat.

20But wicked people will die. They are the Lord's enemies. They will disappear like smoke from a fire that burns them up.

21If you lend money to a wicked person, he will not give it back to you. But righteous people are kind to others and they give things freely.

22Yes, people that the Lord blesses will live safely in the land. But people that he has cursed will disappear.

23If the way that somebody lives pleases the Lord, the Lord will lead him into good things.

24Even if that person trips, he will not fall. The Lord will hold his hand.