Psalm 37
Noli aemulari
1
Fret not thyself because of the ungodly *
neither be thou envious against the evil-doers.
2
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass *
and be withered even as the green herb.
3
Put thou thy trust in the Lord, and be doing good *
dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4
Delight thou in the Lord *
and he shall give thee thy heart’s desire.
5
Commit thy way unto the Lord, and put thy trust in him *
and he shall bring it to pass.
6
He shall make thy righteousness as clear as the light *
and thy just dealing as the noon-day.
7
Hold thee still in the Lord, and abide patiently upon him *
but grieve not thyself at him whose way doth prosper, against the man that doeth after evil counsels.
8
Leave off from wrath, and let go displeasure *
fret not thyself, else shalt thou be moved to do evil.
9
Wicked doers shall be rooted out *
and they that patiently abide the Lord, those shall inherit the land.
10
Yet a little while, and the ungodly shall be clean gone *
thou shalt look after his place, and he shall be away.
11
But the meek-spirited shall possess the earth *
and shall be refreshed in the multitude of peace.
12
The ungodly seeketh counsel against the just *
and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13
The Lord shall laugh him to scorn *
for he hath seen that his day is coming.
14
The ungodly have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow *
to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as are of a right conversation.
15
Their sword shall go through their own heart *
and their bow shall be broken.
16
A small thing that the righteous hath *
is better than great riches of the ungodly.
17
For the arms of the ungodly shall be broken *
and the Lord upholdeth the righteous.
18
The Lord knoweth the days of the godly *
and their inheritance shall endure for ever.