Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers
Psalms 36
This wisdom psalm repeatedly urges the reader not to envy the prosperity of the wicked, since they will soon wither like grass, but instead to trust in the Lord, do good, and wait patiently. It contrasts the eventual ruin of sinners with the security of the righteous, whose steps the Lord orders and whose inheritance is the land.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonFRET not because of evil doers: nor envy them who commit iniquity.
BrentonA Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be envious of them that do iniquity.
GreekΤῷ Δαυίδ. Μὴ παραζήλου ἐν πονηρευομένοις, μηδὲ ζήλου τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν.
KJVFret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
JPS[A Psalm] of David. Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness.
2
Thomson—
BrentonFor they shall soon be withered as the grass, and shall soon fall away as the green herbs.
GreekὍτι ὡσεὶ χόρτος ταχὺ ἀποξηρανθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ λάχανα χλόης ταχὺ ἀποπεσοῦνται.
KJVFor they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
JPSFor they shall soon wither like the grass, and fade as the green herb.
3
ThomsonTrust in the Lord and exercise kindness; dwell in the land and thou shalt be fed with the riches thereof.
BrentonHope in the Lord, and do good; and dwell on the land, and thou shalt be fed with the wealth of it.
GreekἜλπισον ἐπὶ Κύριον, καὶ ποίει χρηστότητα, καὶ κατασκήνου τὴν γῆν, καὶ ποιμανθήσῃ ἐπὶ τῷ πλούτῳ αὐτῆς.
KJVTrust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
JPSTrust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and cherish faithfulness.
4
ThomsonIndulge thyself with delight in the Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thy heart.
BrentonDelight thyself in the Lord; and he shall grant thee the requests of thine heart.
GreekΚατατρύφησον τοῦ Κυρίου, καὶ δώσει σοι τὰ αἰτήματα τῆς καρδίας σου.
KJVDelight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
JPSSo shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and He shall give thee the petitions of thy heart.
5
ThomsonLay open thy way before the Lord, and trust in Him; and he will accomplish—
BrentonDisclose thy way to the Lord, and hope in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
GreekἈποκάλυψον πρὸς Κύριον τὴν ὁδόν σου, καὶ ἔλπισον ἐπʼ αὐτὸν, καὶ αὐτὸς ποιήσει.
KJVCommit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
JPSCommit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.
6
ThomsonHe will indeed bring forth thy righteousness like light, and thy judgment, as the noon day.
BrentonAnd he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon-day.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξοίσει ὡς φῶς τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου, καὶ τὸ κρίμα σου ὡς μεσημβρίαν.
KJVAnd he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
JPSAnd He will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, and thy right as the noonday.
7
ThomsonSubmit thyself to the Lord, and supplicate Him; fret not at the man who prospereth in his way—at the man who committeth iniquity.
BrentonSubmit thyself to the Lord, and supplicate him: fret not thyself because of him that prospers in his way, at the man that does unlawful deeds.
GreekὙποτάγηθι τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ἱκέτευσον αὐτόν· μὴ παραζήλου ἐν τῷ κατευοδουμένῳ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ αὐτοῦ, ἐν ἀνθρώπῳ ποιοῦντι παρανομίας.
KJVRest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
JPSResign thyself unto the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8
ThomsonCease from anger and forsake wrath—be not fretted so as to do evil;
BrentonCease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself so as to do evil.
GreekΠαῦσαι ἀπὸ ὀργῆς καὶ ἐνκατάλιπε θυμὸν, μὴ παραζήλου ὥστε πονηρεύεσθαι.
KJVCease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
JPSCease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.
9
Thomsonfor they who do evil shall be cut off: but they who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
BrentonFor evil-doers shall be destroyed: but they that wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the land.
GreekὍτι οἱ πονηρευόμενοι ἐξολοθρευθήσονται, οἱ δὲ ὑπομένοντες τὸν Κύριον, αὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσι τὴν γῆν.
KJVFor evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
JPSFor evil-doers shall be cut off; but those that wait for the LORD, they shall inherit the land.
10
ThomsonYet a little while, and the sinner shall be no more; though thou mayst seek his place, thou shalt not find it.
BrentonAnd yet a little while, and the sinner shall not be, and thou shalt seek for his place, and shalt not find it.
GreekΚαὶ ἔτι ὀλίγον καὶ οὐ μὴ ὑπάρξῃ ἁμαρτωλὸς, καὶ ζητήσεις τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐ μὴ εὕρῃς.
KJVFor yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
JPSAnd yet a little while, and the wicked is no more; yea, thou shalt look well at his place, and he is not.
11
ThomsonBut the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
BrentonBut the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
GreekΟἱ δὲ πρᾳεῖς κληρονομήσουσι γῆν, καὶ κατατρυφήσουσιν ἐπὶ πλήθει εἰρήνης.
KJVBut the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
JPSBut the humble shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12
ThomsonThe sinner may watch the righteous, and gnash his teeth at him;
BrentonThe sinner will watch for the righteous, and gnash his teeth upon him.
GreekΠαρατηρήσεται ὁ ἁμαρτωλὸς τὸν δίκαιον, καὶ βρύξει ἐπʼ αὐτὸν τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
JPSThe wicked plotteth against the righteous, and gnasheth at him with his teeth.
13
Thomsonbut the Lord will laugh him to scorn, for He foreseeth that his day will come.
BrentonBut the Lord shall laugh at him: for he foresees that his day will come.
GreekὉ δὲ Κύριος ἐκγελάσεται αὐτὸν, ὅτι προβλέτει ὅτι ἥξει ἡ ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
JPSThe Lord doth laugh at him; for He seeth that his day is coming.
14
ThomsonThe sinners drew the sword—they bent their bow, to overthrow the afflicted and needy—to slay the upright in heart.
BrentonSinners have drawn their swords, they have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy one, and to slay the upright in heart.
GreekῬομφαίαν ἐσπάσαντο οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἐνέτειναν τόξον αὐτῶν, τοῦ καταβαλεῖν πτωχὸν καὶ πένητα, τοῦ σφάξαι τοὺς εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ.
KJVThe wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
JPSThe wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow; to cast down the poor and needy, to slay such as are upright in the way;
15
ThomsonLet their sword pierce their own heart; and their bows be broken to shivers.
BrentonLet their sword enter into their own heart, and their bows be broken.
GreekἩ ῥομφαία αὐτῶν εἰσέλθοι εἰς τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν, καὶ τὰ τόξα αὐτῶν συντριβείη.
KJVTheir sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
JPSTheir sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16
ThomsonBetter is the little which a righteous man hath, than the abundant wealth of sinners.
BrentonA little is better to the righteous than abundant wealth of sinners.
GreekΚρεῖσσον ὀλίγον τῷ δικαίῳ ὑπὲρ πλοῦτον ἁμαρτωλῶν πολύν.
KJVA little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
JPSBetter is a little that the righteous hath than the abundance of many wicked.
17
ThomsonFor the arms of sinners shall be broken; but the Lord supporteth the righteous.
BrentonFor the arms of sinners shall be broken; but the Lord supports the righteous.
GreekὍτι βραχίονες ἁμαρτωλῶν συντριβήσονται, ὑποστηρίζει δὲ τοὺς δικαίους ὁ Κύριος.
KJVFor the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
JPSFor the arms of the wicked shall be broken; but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18
ThomsonThe Lord knoweth the ways of the spotless; and their inheritance shall last forever.
BrentonThe Lord knows the ways of the perfect; and their inheritance shall be for ever.
GreekΓινώσκει Κύριος τὰς ὁδοὺς τῶν ἀμώμων, καὶ ἡ κληρονομία αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἔσται.
KJVThe LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
JPSThe LORD knoweth the days of them that are wholehearted; and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19
ThomsonIn time of troubles they shall not be shamed, and in days of famine they shall be plentifully fed.
BrentonThey shall not be ashamed in an evil time; and in days of famine they shall be satisfied.
GreekΟὐ καταισχυνθήσονται ἐν καιρῷ πονηρῷ, καὶ ἐν ἡμέραις λιμοῦ χορτασθήσονται·
KJVThey shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
JPSThey shall not be ashamed in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20
ThomsonBecause the sinners shall perish. Therefore when the enemies of the Lord were exalted and glorified—they were flitting away like smoke, and vanishing.
BrentonFor the sinners shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord at the moment of their being honoured and exalted have utterly vanished like smoke.
GreekὍτι οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, οἱ δὲ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ Κυρίου ἅμα τῷ δοξασθῆναι αὐτοὺς καὶ ὑψωθῆναι, ἐκλείποντες ὡσεὶ καπνὸς ἐξέλιπον.
KJVBut the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
JPSFor the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs— They shall pass away in smoke, they shall pass away.
21
Thomson—
BrentonThe sinner borrows, and will not pay again: but the righteous has compassion, and gives.
GreekΔανείζεται ὁ ἁμαρτωλὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἀποτίσει, ὁ δὲ δίκαιος οἰκτείρει καὶ διδοῖ.
KJV—
JPS—
22
ThomsonHence they who bless Him shall inherit the land; but they who curse Him shall be rooted out.
BrentonFor they that bless him shall inherit the earth; and they that curse him shall be utterly destroyed.
GreekὍτι οἱ εὐλογοῦντες αὐτὸν κληρονομήσουσι γῆν, οἱ δὲ καταρώμενοι αὐτὸν ἐξολοθρευθήσονται.
KJVFor such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
JPS—
23
ThomsonThe steps of a man will be directed by the Lord, when He taketh delight in his way.
BrentonThe steps of a man are rightly ordered by the Lord: and he will take pleasure in his way.
GreekΠαρὰ Κυρίου τὰ διαβήματα ἀνθρώπου κατευθύνεται, καὶ τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ θελήσει.
KJVThe steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
JPSIt is of the LORD that a man's goings are established; and He delighted in his way.
24
ThomsonWhen he happeneth to fall, he shall not fall with violence; for the Lord is a stay to his hand.
BrentonWhen he falls, he shall not be ruined: for the Lord supports his hand.
GreekὍταν πέσῃ οὐ καταῤῥαχθήσεται, ὅτι Κύριος ἀντιστηρίζει χεῖρα αὐτοῦ.
KJVThough he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
JPSThough he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholdeth his hand.
25
ThomsonI have been young and am now old, yet I have never seen the righteous utterly forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
BrentonI was once young, indeed I am now old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread.
GreekΝεώτερος ἐγενόμην, καὶ γὰρ ἐγήρασα· καὶ οὐκ εἶδον δίκαιον ἐγκαταλελειμμένον, οὐδὲ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ζητοῦν ἄρτους.
KJVI have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
JPSI have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26
ThomsonAll the day long he is merciful and lendeth, and his seed shall be entitled to a blessing.
BrentonHe is merciful, and lends continually; and his seed shall be blessed.
GreekὍλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐλεεῖ καὶ δανείζει, καὶ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ εἰς εὐλογίαν ἔσται.
KJVHe is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
JPSAll the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27
ThomsonDepart from evil and do good and dwell for evermore.
BrentonTurn aside from evil, and do good; and dwell for ever.
GreekἜκκλινον ἀπὸ κακοῦ, καὶ ποίησον ἀγαθὸν, καὶ κατασκήνου εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος.
KJVDepart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
JPSDepart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28
ThomsonBecause the Lord loveth judgment and will not forsake His saints; they shall be preserved forever. The spotless shall be avenged, when the seed of the wicked shall be utterly cut off;
BrentonFor the Lord loves judgment, and will not forsake his saints; they shall be preserved for ever: the blameless shall be avenged, but the seed of the ungodly shall be utterly destroyed.
GreekὍτι Κύριος ἀγαπᾷ κρίσιν, καὶ οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψει τοὺς ὁσίους αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα φυλαχθήσονται· ἄμωμοι ἐκδικηθήσονται, καὶ σπέρμα ἀσεβῶν ἐξολοθρευθήσεται.
KJVFor the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
JPSFor the LORD loveth justice, And forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29
Thomsonthe righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.
BrentonBut the righteous shall inherit the earth, and dwell upon it for ever.
GreekΔίκαιοι δὲ κληρονομήσουσι γῆν, καὶ κατασκηνώσουσιν εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος ἐπʼ αὐτῆς.
KJVThe righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
JPSThe righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30
ThomsonThe mouth of the righteous will speak wisdom, and his tongue will talk of justice.
BrentonThe mouth of the righteous will meditate wisdom, and his tongue will speak of judgment.
GreekΣτόμα δικαίου μελετήσει σοφίαν, καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα αὐτοῦ λαλήσει κρίσιν.
KJVThe mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
JPSThe mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, and his tongue speaketh justice.
31
ThomsonThe law of his God is in his heart, and his footsteps shall not slide.
BrentonThe law of his God is in his heart; and his steps shall not slide.
GreekὉ νόμος τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐν καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐχ ὑποσκελισθήσεται τὰ διαβήματα αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
JPSThe law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps slide.
32
ThomsonThe sinner watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to kill him;
BrentonThe sinner watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him.
GreekΚατανοεῖ ὁ ἁμαρτωλὸς τὸν δίκαιον, καὶ ζητεῖ τοῦ θανατῶσαι αὐτόν.
KJVThe wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
JPSThe wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33
Thomsonbut the Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor suffer him to condemn him when he is judged.
BrentonBut the Lord will not leave him in his hands, nor by any means condemn him when he is judged.
GreekὉ δὲ Κύριος οὐ μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃ αὐτὸν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, οὐδὲ μὴ καταδικάσαι αὐτὸν, ὅταν κρίνηται αὐτῷ.
KJVThe LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
JPSThe LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor suffer him to be condemned when he is judged.
34
ThomsonWait on the Lord and keep His way: and He will exalt thee to inherit the land. When sinners are cut off, thou shalt see it.
BrentonWait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are destroyed, thou shalt see it.
GreekὙπόμεινον τὸν Κύριον, καὶ φύλαξον τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὑψώσει σε τοῦ κατακληρονομῆσαι τὴν γῆν· ἐν τῷ ἐξολοθρεύεσθαι ἁμαρτωλοὺς, ὄψει.
KJVWait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
JPSWait for the LORD, and keep His way, and He will exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35
ThomsonI have seen the wicked highly exalted, towering aloft like the cedars of Lebanon.
BrentonI saw the ungodly very highly exalting himself, and lifting himself up like the cedars of Libanus.
GreekΕἶδον τὸν ἀσεβῆ ὑπερυψούμενον, καὶ ἐπαιρόμενον ὡς τὰς κέδρους τοῦ Λιβάνου·
KJV—
JPS—
36
ThomsonAgain I passed by, and lo! he was gone. Though I sought him, his place could not be found.
BrentonYet I passed by, and lo! he was not: and I sought him, but his place was not found.
GreekΚαὶ παρῆλθον, καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἦν, καὶ ἐζήτησα αὐτόν, καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη ὁ τόπος αὐτοῦ.
KJVYet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
JPSBut one passed by, and, lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37
ThomsonPreserve innocence and eye rectitude; for there is a remnant for the man of peace.
BrentonMaintain innocence, and behold uprightness: for there is a remnant to the peaceable man.
GreekΦύλασσε ἀκακίαν καὶ ἴδε εὐθύτητα, ὅτι ἐστὶν ἐγκατάλειμμα ἀνθρώπῳ εἰρηνικῷ.
KJV—
JPSMark the man of integrity, and behold the upright; for there is a future for the man of peace.
38
ThomsonBut transgressors shall be cut off together—the remnants of the wicked shall be rooted out.
BrentonBut the transgressors shall be utterly destroyed together: the remnants of the ungodly shall be utterly destroyed.
GreekΟἱ δὲ παράνομοι ἐξολοθρευθήσονται ἐπιτοαυτὸ, τὰ ἐγκαταλείμματα τῶν ἀσεβῶν ἐξολοθρευθήσονται·
KJVBut the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
JPSBut transgressors shall be destroyed together; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39
ThomsonThe safety of the righteous is from the Lord; and He is their protector in time of trouble.
BrentonBut the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; and he is their defender in the time of affliction.
GreekΣωτηρία δὲ τῶν δικαίων παρὰ Κυρίου, καὶ ὑπερασπιστὴς αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως.
KJVBut the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
JPSBut the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40
ThomsonThe Lord will help them and deliver them; He will rescue them from sinners, and save them: because in Him they have put their trust.
BrentonAnd the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: and he shall rescue them from sinners, and save them, because they have hoped in him.
GreekΚαὶ βοηθήσει αὐτοῖς Κύριος, καὶ ῥύσεται αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐξελεῖται αὐτοὺς ἐξ ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ σώσει αὐτοὺς; ὅτι ἤλπισαν ἐπʼ αὐτόν.
KJVAnd the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
JPSAnd the LORD helpeth them, and delivereth them; He delivereth them from the wicked, and saveth them, because they have taken refuge in Him.