Psalm 37:1-9

New International Version

Psalm 37^[a]

Of David.

¹Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious^(A) of those who do wrong;^(B)
²for like the grass they will soon wither,^(C)
like green plants they will soon die away.^(D)

³Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land^(E) and enjoy safe pasture.^(F)
⁴Take delight^(G) in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.^(H)

⁵Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him^(I) and he will do this:
⁶He will make your righteous reward^(J) shine like the dawn,^(K)
your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷Be still^(L) before the Lord
and wait patiently^(M) for him;
do not fret^(N) when people succeed in their ways,^(O)
when they carry out their wicked schemes.^(P)

⁸Refrain from anger^(Q) and turn from wrath;
do not fret^(R)—it leads only to evil.
⁹For those who are evil will be destroyed,^(S)
but those who hope^(T) in the Lord will inherit the land.^(U)

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Footnotes

Psalm 37:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

1 Peter 2:19-25

New International Version

¹⁹For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^(A) ²⁰But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^(B) ²¹To this^(C) you were called,^(D) because Christ suffered for you,^(E) leaving you an example,^(F) that you should follow in his steps.

²²“He committed no sin,^(G)
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”^[a]^(H)

²³When they hurled their insults at him,^(I) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(J) Instead, he entrusted himself^(K) to him who judges justly.^(L) ²⁴“He himself bore our sins”^(M) in his body on the cross,^(N) so that we might die to sins^(O) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”^(P) ²⁵For “you were like sheep going astray,”^[b]^(Q) but now you have returned to the Shepherd^(R) and Overseer of your souls.^(S)

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Footnotes

1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)

1 Peter 3:8-18

New International Version

Suffering for Doing Good

⁸Finally, all of you, be like-minded,^(A) be sympathetic, love one another,^(B) be compassionate and humble.^(C) ⁹Do not repay evil with evil^(D) or insult with insult.^(E) On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,^(F) because to this^(G) you were called^(H) so that you may inherit a blessing.^(I) ¹⁰For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
¹¹They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”^[a]^(J)

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?^(K) ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.^(L) “Do not fear their threats^[b]; do not be frightened.”^[c]^(M) ¹⁵But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer^(N) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope^(O) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience,^(P) so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.^(Q) ¹⁷For it is better, if it is God’s will,^(R) to suffer for doing good^(S) than for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ also suffered once^(T) for sins,^(U) the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.^(V) He was put to death in the body^(W) but made alive in the Spirit.^(X)