3Wicked people MTY should not be allowed to rule over the land where righteous people live. If they did that, those righteous people might ◄be encouraged to imitate them and► do things that are wrong.
3For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous: in order that the righteous may not stretch forth their hands unto wrong-doing.
3For the Lord shall not leave the rod of sinners on the part of just men; that just men hold not forth their hands to wickedness. (For the rod of the sinners shall not remain over the land of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands to wickedness.)