²¹ The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous are gracious and give.
²² So those God blesses will inherit the earth,
but those he curses will be cut off.
²³ By the Lord the steps of a person are made secure.
Then he will delight in his way.
²⁴ Though he falls, he will not stay down,
because the Lord holds him by his hand.
²⁵ I was a young man. Now I am old.
But I have never seen a righteous person forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
²⁶ Every day he is gracious and lends.
His children will be blessed.
²⁷ Turn back from evil and do good.
Then you will remain forever.
²⁸ For the Lord loves justice.
He will not forsake his favored ones. ^[1]
They will be protected forever,
but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.
²⁹ The righteous will inherit the earth.
They will dwell on it forever.
³⁰ The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom.
His tongue speaks what is just.
³¹ The law of his God is in his heart.
His steps do not slip.

³² The wicked spy on the righteous one and seek to kill him.
³³ The Lord will not leave him in their hand.
He will not let him be condemned when he is put on trial.
³⁴ Wait for the Lord and keep to his way.
He will raise you up to take possession of the earth.
When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
³⁵ I saw a wicked, ruthless man.
He was rooted like a green plant in its native soil,
³⁶ but he passed away. Just like that, he was gone!
I searched for him, but he could not be found.
³⁷ Take note of the blameless. Look at the upright.
Yes, there is a future for the man of peace.
³⁸ But rebels will be completely destroyed.
The future of the wicked will be cut off.
³⁹ The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord.
He is their stronghold in times of stress.
⁴⁰ The Lord helps them and delivers them.
He delivers them from the wicked.
He saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.