1 “ Call out now; Is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn?

2 F or wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one.

3 I have seen the foolish taking root, But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place.

4 H is sons are far from safety, They are crushed in the gate, And there is no deliverer.

5 B ecause the hungry eat up his harvest, Taking it even from the thorns, And a snare snatches their substance.

6 F or affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble spring from the ground;

7 Y et man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

8 “ But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause—

9 W ho does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number.

10 H e gives rain on the earth, And sends waters on the fields.

11 H e sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

12 H e frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.

13 H e catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.

14 T hey meet with darkness in the daytime, And grope at noontime as in the night.

15 B ut He saves the needy from the sword, From the mouth of the mighty, And from their hand.

16 S o the poor have hope, And injustice shuts her mouth.

17 “ Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

18 F or He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.

19 H e shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.

20 I n famine He shall redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword.

21 Y ou shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

22 Y ou shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

23 F or you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.

24 Y ou shall know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss.

25 Y ou shall also know that your descendants shall be many, And your offspring like the grass of the earth.

26 Y ou shall come to the grave at a full age, As a sheaf of grain ripens in its season.

27 B ehold, this we have searched out; It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.”