Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence.

Happy are those who don't follow the advice of the wicked. They refuse to adopt the ways of sinful people, and they don't make fun of others.

2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

Instead they love to do what the law of the Lord says, and they think about it day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.

They're like trees growing by flowing rivers, producing fruit every season. Their leaves never wither, and they are successful in all they do.

4 Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.

But it's not like that for the wicked! They are like chaff, blown away by the wind.

5 Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just.

For this reason the wicked will not survive the judgment—sinners have no place among those who live right.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.

For the Lord watches over those who follow the right way, but the way of the wicked leads to death.