1 C all now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?

“Call now. Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

2 F or wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

To be bitter kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the child-like.

3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

I have seen the fool taking root, but right away his house was cursed.

4 H is children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.

His sons are far from being safe. They are destroyed in the gate, and there is no one to help them.

5 W hose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

The hungry eat the food of his field. They take it even out of the thorns. And the thirsty want his riches.

6 A lthough affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;

For suffering does not come from the dust. Trouble does not grow out of the ground.

7 Y et man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

But man is born to trouble, as fire goes up.

8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

“But as for me, I would look to God. I would put my troubles before God.

9 W hich doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

He does great things, too great for us to understand. He does too many wonderful things for us to number.

10 W ho giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

He gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields.

11 T o set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

He puts those who are in low places up to high places. Those who are filled with sorrow are lifted to where they are safe.

12 H e disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

He troubles the plans of those who try to fool people, so that their hands cannot do what they plan.

13 H e taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

God gets them into a trap when they use their own wisdom. And the plans of the wise are brought to a quick end.

14 T hey meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

They meet with darkness during the day, and feel their way at noon as in the night.

15 B ut he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

But He saves from the sword those in need. He saves the poor from the power of the strong.

16 S o the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

So those who have no hope, have hope, and what is not right and good must shut its mouth.

17 B ehold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

“See, happy is the man to whom God speaks strong words. So do not hate the strong teaching of the All-powerful.

18 F or he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

He punishes, but He gives comfort. He hurts, but His hands heal.

19 H e shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

He will take you out of six troubles. Yes, in seven, nothing will hurt you.

20 I n famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.

He will keep you from death in times of no food, and from the power of the sword in war.

21 T hou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

You will be hidden from the punishment of the tongue. You will not be afraid of being destroyed when danger comes.

22 A t destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

You will laugh at danger and times of no food. And you will not be afraid of wild animals.

23 F or thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

For you will be in agreement with the stones of the field. And the animals of the field will be at peace with you.

24 A nd thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.

You will know that your tent is safe. You will look over what you have and see that nothing is gone.

25 T hou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

You will know also that your children and children’s children will be many. They will be as the grass of the earth.

26 T hou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

You will come to the grave in full strength, like the grain gathered in when it is time.

27 L o this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

See, this is what we have found, and it is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.”