Psalms 37:13-40

13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

14The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;

17for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.

18The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.

19In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

22those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.

23The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

24though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

25I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

26They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

27Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

28For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.

29The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

30The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

31The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

32The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death;

33but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34Hope in the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

35I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

36but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.

38But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.

39The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.