3rd Letter to HR
(updated 6-May-2011)
11-April-2011
Dear:
XXXXXXX – Chief Executive Officer & President;
XXXXXXX – Chief Operating Officer;
XXXXXXX – V.P. of Human Resources & Administration:
I thank you for this opportunity to voice my concerns regarding our company’s stance on an issue and appreciate our company’s crucial open door policy. Previously, you have graciously received my letters concerning our company’s belief that workplace diversity somehow involves homosexual and transgender lifestyle choices. I highlighted the fact that I and others are quite disturbed over the presence of such special, intentional, and preferential language about these lifestyles within the harassment policy, [compliance] courses, and mandatory legal training.
Most recently, the trend continues in the [company's] Code of Conduct which was distributed company-wide and in the diversity section it flippantly states “We are gay and straight” followed by language that gives further affirmation of the subject behavior related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. This and the [compliance] course by the same name assert and teach that these questionable behavioral choices are resolutely comparable to other legitimate and immutable characteristics. And according to the recently published [question & answer forum], our company is now seeking marketing campaigns to engage the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual (GLBT) community.
This is further special, intentional, and preferential treatment of a demographic strictly characterized by its explicit moral view regarding sexuality. In this sense, it is very much a belief system. And though it is irreligious in nature, it teaches, upholds, and practices a particular morality. Therefore, incorporating these lifestyles into corporate courses and policies is the willful promotion of its particular sexual morality, and one which is irrelevant to the workplace. Marketing to the GLBT sect exhibits further preferential endorsement of these GLBT beliefs. Would our company employ marketing campaigns that cater to other specific moral belief systems such as religions? Doubtful. Because choosing one sect might appear as if the company were being biased. And that is exactly what is happening.
In consideration of this and as a matter of providing useful information, you should be aware that there are conservative organizations that monitor GLBT publications in search of companies that are engaged in marketing and sponsorship efforts. Once identified, they first attempt to make contact with the questionable company in order to persuade them to rescind their GLBT endeavors. If efforts are not abandoned, a wide scale boycott is pursued, usually gaining negative publicity. Examples of companies that have learned this lesson the hard way are Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Ford. Even if an official boycott is not established, the mere knowledge of a company’s gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual involvement is enough for some consumers to completely and indefinitely reject a company’s products.
One tactic the GLBT community has employed to make themselves appear more acceptable is to project a larger presence than they really have. In actuality, engaging this relatively small group will antagonize a much larger conservative demographic. For example, one of the aforementioned conservative organizations has in excess of 1 million subscribers. To avoid a detrimental schism within our potential customer base, it would seem to be in the best interest of our company, as well as a much more reasonable approach, to pursue marketing campaigns in realms and publications that are morally neutral. These have little risk of negative fallout and are encountered by people having all types of moral beliefs.
These GLBT marketing ventures are hazardous enough, but as I mentioned in prior letters, the real tragedy involves the hazards these lifestyles wreak on those who practice them. There, I additionally attempted to explain how these behaviors are not only offensive to those of us holding Christian views, but also to the Christian God himself. And it is reasonable that this loving, all-knowing, and holy God would forbid people to engage in lifestyles He knows are naturally harmful. Thus, I now find it necessary to discuss an appalling aspect of this subject that is very crucial, but often avoided due to political correctness and the uneasiness of the topic.
The consequences of GLBT sexual behavior are not without negative fallout of their own. For instance, a March 2010 report sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that the rate of new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men is more than 44 times that of other men and more than 40 times that of women. It also found that the rate of syphilis among them is more than 46 times that of other men and more than 71 times that of women.
According to a pro-GLBT medical organization, due to hormone drug “treatment”, transgender people are at high risk of blood clotting, blood pressure issues, liver damage, heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Multiple unbiased international studies [1] have found that GLBT individuals possess significantly higher rates of major depression, anxiety, substance abuse, substance dependence, and suicide – even in cultures highly accepting of their lifestyles. Such staggeringly disproportionate risks are unique to the GLBT community and are a direct biological and emotional consequence of their specific sexual morality for physical reasons that are too graphic to further depict. Is this what our company wishes to endorse? Rather, it seems to contradict the legitimate charities and other humanitarian efforts that our company is involved in.
As the company pursues the [corporate philosophy], seeking to promote integrity and teamwork, taking up politically and religiously charged agendas that are intensely divisive will work in the opposite direction. As one who is passionate about working in a team to creatively pioneer great products that serve our customers well, I am not only concerned about the poor effect that advocating GLBT lifestyles will have on our corporate image, but also with the repressive and demoralizing effect this has on our teammates who conscientiously object to the GLBT agenda. Furthermore, I imagine that some teammates would be very uncomfortable being involved in such marketing projects. Is our company at all concerned that some teammates are offended by its GLBT advocacy? It seems our company’s rapidly spreading gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual endorsement is quickly creating a workplace environment that is threatening to the consciences of its teammates.
Having to work alongside someone with contrary moral beliefs is necessary and unavoidable. I will always politely do so out of respect of their personhood. And likewise, it is never appropriate for any person to be mistreated or disrespected, regardless of their moral beliefs. But when a company supports and upholds an objectionable morality to its employees, I and others find it inappropriate and offensive.
It is my desire to provide you with honest feedback and real life information on this subject so that you can better exercise yet another aspect of the [corporate philosophy] – [fact-based] decision making. Please consider these striking, yet suppressed research findings and the liabilities of upholding GLBT lifestyle choices. I appreciate the enormous responsibility you bear in leading and guiding our company – and more importantly, our teammates. And I again appeal to you to refrain from the continued promotion and mention of the homosexual and transgender lifestyles along with their associated morality. This is not asking the company to do anything different than it has done in the past – to be neutral, not siding with a particular moral view in this cultural battle. Thank you for your time and consideration of these matters. If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Josh XXXXXXXX
[1] e.g. de Graaf, Sandfort & ten Have (June 2006), Archives of Sexual Behavior; Gilman, Cochran, Mays, Hughes, Ostrow & Kessler (Apr. 2000), Russell & Joyner (Aug. 2001), Skegg, Nada-Raja, Dickson, Paul & Williams (Mar. 2003), American Journal of Public Health; Herrell, Goldberg, True, Ramakrishnan, Lyons, Eisen & Tsuang (Oct. 1999), Fergusson, Horwood & Beautrais (Oct. 1999), Archives of General Psychiatry; etc.
Dear:
XXXXXXX – Chief Executive Officer & President;
XXXXXXX – Chief Operating Officer;
XXXXXXX – V.P. of Human Resources & Administration:
I thank you for this opportunity to voice my concerns regarding our company’s stance on an issue and appreciate our company’s crucial open door policy. Previously, you have graciously received my letters concerning our company’s belief that workplace diversity somehow involves homosexual and transgender lifestyle choices. I highlighted the fact that I and others are quite disturbed over the presence of such special, intentional, and preferential language about these lifestyles within the harassment policy, [compliance] courses, and mandatory legal training.
Most recently, the trend continues in the [company's] Code of Conduct which was distributed company-wide and in the diversity section it flippantly states “We are gay and straight” followed by language that gives further affirmation of the subject behavior related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. This and the [compliance] course by the same name assert and teach that these questionable behavioral choices are resolutely comparable to other legitimate and immutable characteristics. And according to the recently published [question & answer forum], our company is now seeking marketing campaigns to engage the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual (GLBT) community.
This is further special, intentional, and preferential treatment of a demographic strictly characterized by its explicit moral view regarding sexuality. In this sense, it is very much a belief system. And though it is irreligious in nature, it teaches, upholds, and practices a particular morality. Therefore, incorporating these lifestyles into corporate courses and policies is the willful promotion of its particular sexual morality, and one which is irrelevant to the workplace. Marketing to the GLBT sect exhibits further preferential endorsement of these GLBT beliefs. Would our company employ marketing campaigns that cater to other specific moral belief systems such as religions? Doubtful. Because choosing one sect might appear as if the company were being biased. And that is exactly what is happening.
In consideration of this and as a matter of providing useful information, you should be aware that there are conservative organizations that monitor GLBT publications in search of companies that are engaged in marketing and sponsorship efforts. Once identified, they first attempt to make contact with the questionable company in order to persuade them to rescind their GLBT endeavors. If efforts are not abandoned, a wide scale boycott is pursued, usually gaining negative publicity. Examples of companies that have learned this lesson the hard way are Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Ford. Even if an official boycott is not established, the mere knowledge of a company’s gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual involvement is enough for some consumers to completely and indefinitely reject a company’s products.
One tactic the GLBT community has employed to make themselves appear more acceptable is to project a larger presence than they really have. In actuality, engaging this relatively small group will antagonize a much larger conservative demographic. For example, one of the aforementioned conservative organizations has in excess of 1 million subscribers. To avoid a detrimental schism within our potential customer base, it would seem to be in the best interest of our company, as well as a much more reasonable approach, to pursue marketing campaigns in realms and publications that are morally neutral. These have little risk of negative fallout and are encountered by people having all types of moral beliefs.
These GLBT marketing ventures are hazardous enough, but as I mentioned in prior letters, the real tragedy involves the hazards these lifestyles wreak on those who practice them. There, I additionally attempted to explain how these behaviors are not only offensive to those of us holding Christian views, but also to the Christian God himself. And it is reasonable that this loving, all-knowing, and holy God would forbid people to engage in lifestyles He knows are naturally harmful. Thus, I now find it necessary to discuss an appalling aspect of this subject that is very crucial, but often avoided due to political correctness and the uneasiness of the topic.
The consequences of GLBT sexual behavior are not without negative fallout of their own. For instance, a March 2010 report sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that the rate of new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men is more than 44 times that of other men and more than 40 times that of women. It also found that the rate of syphilis among them is more than 46 times that of other men and more than 71 times that of women.
According to a pro-GLBT medical organization, due to hormone drug “treatment”, transgender people are at high risk of blood clotting, blood pressure issues, liver damage, heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Multiple unbiased international studies [1] have found that GLBT individuals possess significantly higher rates of major depression, anxiety, substance abuse, substance dependence, and suicide – even in cultures highly accepting of their lifestyles. Such staggeringly disproportionate risks are unique to the GLBT community and are a direct biological and emotional consequence of their specific sexual morality for physical reasons that are too graphic to further depict. Is this what our company wishes to endorse? Rather, it seems to contradict the legitimate charities and other humanitarian efforts that our company is involved in.
As the company pursues the [corporate philosophy], seeking to promote integrity and teamwork, taking up politically and religiously charged agendas that are intensely divisive will work in the opposite direction. As one who is passionate about working in a team to creatively pioneer great products that serve our customers well, I am not only concerned about the poor effect that advocating GLBT lifestyles will have on our corporate image, but also with the repressive and demoralizing effect this has on our teammates who conscientiously object to the GLBT agenda. Furthermore, I imagine that some teammates would be very uncomfortable being involved in such marketing projects. Is our company at all concerned that some teammates are offended by its GLBT advocacy? It seems our company’s rapidly spreading gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual endorsement is quickly creating a workplace environment that is threatening to the consciences of its teammates.
Having to work alongside someone with contrary moral beliefs is necessary and unavoidable. I will always politely do so out of respect of their personhood. And likewise, it is never appropriate for any person to be mistreated or disrespected, regardless of their moral beliefs. But when a company supports and upholds an objectionable morality to its employees, I and others find it inappropriate and offensive.
It is my desire to provide you with honest feedback and real life information on this subject so that you can better exercise yet another aspect of the [corporate philosophy] – [fact-based] decision making. Please consider these striking, yet suppressed research findings and the liabilities of upholding GLBT lifestyle choices. I appreciate the enormous responsibility you bear in leading and guiding our company – and more importantly, our teammates. And I again appeal to you to refrain from the continued promotion and mention of the homosexual and transgender lifestyles along with their associated morality. This is not asking the company to do anything different than it has done in the past – to be neutral, not siding with a particular moral view in this cultural battle. Thank you for your time and consideration of these matters. If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Josh XXXXXXXX
[1] e.g. de Graaf, Sandfort & ten Have (June 2006), Archives of Sexual Behavior; Gilman, Cochran, Mays, Hughes, Ostrow & Kessler (Apr. 2000), Russell & Joyner (Aug. 2001), Skegg, Nada-Raja, Dickson, Paul & Williams (Mar. 2003), American Journal of Public Health; Herrell, Goldberg, True, Ramakrishnan, Lyons, Eisen & Tsuang (Oct. 1999), Fergusson, Horwood & Beautrais (Oct. 1999), Archives of General Psychiatry; etc.
Corporate Code of Conduct Statement on "Diversity"
Question & Answer Forum Example
HR Response
My Comments
My whole point in sharing this information is three-fold. First, I direct like-minded Christian co-workers & friends here so they can be informed about how to pray regarding this situation (Jn 15.5, 1 Pt 4.7). Next, I pray that it will help to collectively understand how to better contend for the faith in this generation we live in (Jude 1.3). Lastly, my hope is that other Christians viewing this site will be encouraged to take a stand for truth & dismantle the lies that thwart freedom & take so many captive to their own destruction (2 Tim 2.25-26).
In the company’s response to this letter, you will notice that gone are the niceties that sprinkled prior replies. In all fairness, I guess that is understandable given that my letter was a bit more direct – and graphic. I wasn’t trying to demean anyone or apply a “shock factor”. I was simply trying to set forth the truth plainly & interject some facts that are lacking from public debate due to a smokescreen of rhetoric, agendas & political correctness. Since my livelihood is on the line, I even went to the trouble to cite unbiased references. I should also mention that sometimes there is just no way to sugarcoat some facts & probably one reason why some avoid discussing them altogether. By the way, it is not my fault such facts are uncomfortable. The behavior of these lifestyles are disgraceful on their own; I simply am pointing out how the dots are connected. What used to be obvious connections to previous generations have been suppressed by ours.
There are two things that I find very troubling about this debate. They are not necessarily troubling because it’s my situation – it is what it is. I realize that I am not dealing with a representative government, but am subject to the company’s authority – but God’s first (Ac 5.29). Mainly, this is troubling because it says something about our culture. First, it states that facts are not important. While this has been a historical problem the world over, it is an increasingly dangerous threat to the foundational freedoms that underpin Western culture (especially America & mainly because of its Christian roots).
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? – Ps 11.3
The other troubling thing is that the ruling body feels they are able to form impressions & understandings for individuals that are not only superior to those of the individual, but also invalidate them. Ironically, this is all done in the name of “diversity”, which now means an amalgamation of ideologies on a superficial level that swallows up meaningful individuality. The “Melting Pot”, as America is sometimes called, is now a mile wide & an inch deep. You can be whatever you want, just don’t expect to be able to live it out with any real purpose. Even what it means for gay people to be gay is “marginalized” by not recognizing it for what it really is & then hiding in acronyms like GLBT & lumping it in with the rest.
Some have called this phenomenon Cultural Marxism. Marxism applied to the physical-economic realm yields socialism where a central power owns & operates the means of production & distribution of physical goods. When Marxism is applied to the cultural-moral realm, you have a central power that owns & operates the means of definition (production) & indoctrination (distribution) of morality. In both cases, history proves time & again that tyranny & injustice result.
How did we get here? The era known as Modernism let down generations that hoped to find purpose & meaning in life (including morality) by mainly using science & rational thought. Enter Post-modernism which gave up the chase & abandoned any hope of finding absolute truth regarding morality & meaning – “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor 15.32). There is nothing new under the sun (Isa 59.14-15); this is just the mindset now dominating our culture which is epitomized by widespread moral relativism. And here we are in a culture detached from truth with no use for it even when it’s made plain to them. It shouldn’t be a surprise then that using logic & truth to defend a moral position seems to be going nowhere. I myself am not immune to getting frustrated & wanting to set back, but we must come back to where we started – God’s truth.
The truth of God’s Word & rational arguments are the offensive tools God has provided us to engage falsehood (Eph 6.17, Ac 17.16-17). We also shouldn’t be surprised that accompanying Scriptures that outline our duty to defend & live out the truth, we find passages exhorting us to be steadfast, persevere, endure & overcome. Perhaps if things were accomplished more easily, we might think it was our own doing instead of the Lord’s?
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. – Zech 4.6b
While it may seem like the fight is futile at times, we must remember that:
- Duty is not conditional (Mt 26.39, Jn 18.37)
- God’s timing is not our timing (Gen 41.1, 9-14, Ps 31.15 – read all of Ps 31)
- God’s ways are not our ways (Isa 55.8-11, Pr 16.4)
- Success is measured by God, not man (1 Sam 16.7, Ps 37, 2 Cor 10.12)
- The world doesn’t give a warm welcome to truth (Lk 6.22-23, 26, Jn 15.18)
- God reigns…forever.
Don't miss the passages at the bottom. But first, here's something else to be praying about. It's a luncheon put on by our company's "Diversity C ouncil" covering the topic of "Diversity & Inclusion". It is voluntary (for the moment) & I plan on attending just to witness for myself what it involves & engage in discussion if the Lord leads. Prayers for discernment would be appreciated.
In the company’s response to this letter, you will notice that gone are the niceties that sprinkled prior replies. In all fairness, I guess that is understandable given that my letter was a bit more direct – and graphic. I wasn’t trying to demean anyone or apply a “shock factor”. I was simply trying to set forth the truth plainly & interject some facts that are lacking from public debate due to a smokescreen of rhetoric, agendas & political correctness. Since my livelihood is on the line, I even went to the trouble to cite unbiased references. I should also mention that sometimes there is just no way to sugarcoat some facts & probably one reason why some avoid discussing them altogether. By the way, it is not my fault such facts are uncomfortable. The behavior of these lifestyles are disgraceful on their own; I simply am pointing out how the dots are connected. What used to be obvious connections to previous generations have been suppressed by ours.
There are two things that I find very troubling about this debate. They are not necessarily troubling because it’s my situation – it is what it is. I realize that I am not dealing with a representative government, but am subject to the company’s authority – but God’s first (Ac 5.29). Mainly, this is troubling because it says something about our culture. First, it states that facts are not important. While this has been a historical problem the world over, it is an increasingly dangerous threat to the foundational freedoms that underpin Western culture (especially America & mainly because of its Christian roots).
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? – Ps 11.3
The other troubling thing is that the ruling body feels they are able to form impressions & understandings for individuals that are not only superior to those of the individual, but also invalidate them. Ironically, this is all done in the name of “diversity”, which now means an amalgamation of ideologies on a superficial level that swallows up meaningful individuality. The “Melting Pot”, as America is sometimes called, is now a mile wide & an inch deep. You can be whatever you want, just don’t expect to be able to live it out with any real purpose. Even what it means for gay people to be gay is “marginalized” by not recognizing it for what it really is & then hiding in acronyms like GLBT & lumping it in with the rest.
Some have called this phenomenon Cultural Marxism. Marxism applied to the physical-economic realm yields socialism where a central power owns & operates the means of production & distribution of physical goods. When Marxism is applied to the cultural-moral realm, you have a central power that owns & operates the means of definition (production) & indoctrination (distribution) of morality. In both cases, history proves time & again that tyranny & injustice result.
How did we get here? The era known as Modernism let down generations that hoped to find purpose & meaning in life (including morality) by mainly using science & rational thought. Enter Post-modernism which gave up the chase & abandoned any hope of finding absolute truth regarding morality & meaning – “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor 15.32). There is nothing new under the sun (Isa 59.14-15); this is just the mindset now dominating our culture which is epitomized by widespread moral relativism. And here we are in a culture detached from truth with no use for it even when it’s made plain to them. It shouldn’t be a surprise then that using logic & truth to defend a moral position seems to be going nowhere. I myself am not immune to getting frustrated & wanting to set back, but we must come back to where we started – God’s truth.
The truth of God’s Word & rational arguments are the offensive tools God has provided us to engage falsehood (Eph 6.17, Ac 17.16-17). We also shouldn’t be surprised that accompanying Scriptures that outline our duty to defend & live out the truth, we find passages exhorting us to be steadfast, persevere, endure & overcome. Perhaps if things were accomplished more easily, we might think it was our own doing instead of the Lord’s?
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. – Zech 4.6b
While it may seem like the fight is futile at times, we must remember that:
- Duty is not conditional (Mt 26.39, Jn 18.37)
- God’s timing is not our timing (Gen 41.1, 9-14, Ps 31.15 – read all of Ps 31)
- God’s ways are not our ways (Isa 55.8-11, Pr 16.4)
- Success is measured by God, not man (1 Sam 16.7, Ps 37, 2 Cor 10.12)
- The world doesn’t give a warm welcome to truth (Lk 6.22-23, 26, Jn 15.18)
- God reigns…forever.
Don't miss the passages at the bottom. But first, here's something else to be praying about. It's a luncheon put on by our company's "Diversity C ouncil" covering the topic of "Diversity & Inclusion". It is voluntary (for the moment) & I plan on attending just to witness for myself what it involves & engage in discussion if the Lord leads. Prayers for discernment would be appreciated.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. – 1 Jn 4.4-6 My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah… One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you,O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. – Ps 62.7-8, 11-12 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. - Isa 59.14-15 Related Pages
No Apologies
Provocative Questions About Taking Proactive Action Should I take a stand? 1st Letter to HR 2nd Letter to HR Here's a link to an honest article from someone who has experienced the fallout of living in a gay household. |
Psalm 37
1 Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. 12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. 20 But the wicked will perish: The LORD’s enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke. 21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. 23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. 27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; 29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. 30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. 32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; 33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. 34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. 35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, 36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. 37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. 38 But all sinners will be 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 time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. |