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

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

2 T o be bitter kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the child-like.

For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one.

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 F or suffering does not come from the dust. Trouble does not grow out of the ground.

For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble spring from the ground;

7 B ut man is born to trouble, as fire goes up.

Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

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

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

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

Who does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number.

10 H e gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields.

He gives rain on the earth, And sends waters on the fields.

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

He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

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

He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.

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

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

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

They meet with darkness in the daytime, And grope at noontime as in the night.

15 B ut He saves from the sword those in need. He saves the poor from the power of the strong.

But He saves the needy from the sword, From the mouth of the mighty, And from their hand.

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

So the poor have hope, And injustice shuts her mouth.

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

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

18 H e punishes, but He gives comfort. He hurts, but His hands heal.

For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.

19 H e will take you out of six troubles. Yes, in seven, nothing will hurt you.

He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

23 F or you will be in agreement with the stones of the field. And the animals of the field will be at peace with you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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