Psalms 1

1 BOOK I HAPPY IS the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful.

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 delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he 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 planted by streams of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf doth not wither; and in whatsoever he doeth he 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; but they are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

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

5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

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

6 For the LORD regardeth the way of the righteous; but 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.