Psalms 37:23-40

¶The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. When he falls, he will not be hurled down, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand and sustains him. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous (those in right standing with God) abandoned Or his descendants pleading for bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing. ¶Depart from evil and do good; And you will dwell [securely in the land] forever. For the LORD delights in justice And does not abandon His saints (faithful ones); They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will [in time] be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land And live in it forever. The mouth of the righteous proclaims wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice and truth. The law of his God is in his heart; Not one of his steps will slip. The wicked lies in wait for the righteous And seeks to kill him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand Or let him be condemned when he is judged. Wait for and expect the LORD and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; [In the end] when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. ¶I have seen a wicked, violent man [with great power] Spreading and flaunting himself like a cedar in its native soil, Yet he passed away, and lo, he was no more; I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man [who is spiritually complete], and behold the upright [who walks in moral integrity]; There is a [good] future for the man of peace [because a life of honor blesses one’s descendants]. As for transgressors, they will be completely destroyed; The future of the wicked will be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their refuge and stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and rescues them; He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him.