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

»Ahora, pues, da voces, a ver quién te responde. ¿A cuál de los santos te volverás?

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

Es cierto que al necio lo mata la ira y al codicioso lo consume la envidia.

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

Yo he visto que el necio echaba raíces, y en la misma hora maldije su morada.

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

Sus hijos carecerán de socorro: en la puerta serán quebrantados y no habrá quien los libre.

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

Su cosecha se la comerán los hambrientos, sacándola de entre los espinos; y los sedientos se beberán su hacienda.

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

Porque la aflicción no sale del polvo ni la fatiga brota de la tierra.

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

Pero como las chispas se levantan para volar por el aire, así el hombre nace para la desdicha.

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

Ciertamente yo buscaría a Dios y le encomendaría mi causa.

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

Él hace cosas grandes e inescrutables, y maravillas sin número.

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

Derrama la lluvia sobre la faz de la tierra y envía las aguas sobre los campos.

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.

Pone en alto a los humildes y a los enlutados da seguridad.

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

Frustra los pensamientos de los astutos, para hacer vana la obra de sus manos.

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.

Atrapa a los sabios en su propia astucia y frustra los planes de los perversos.

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

De día tropiezan con tinieblas; a mediodía andan a tientas, como de noche.

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

Él libra de la espada al pobre, de la boca de los malvados y de la mano del violento;

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

por eso, el necesitado tiene esperanza, pero la iniquidad cierra la boca.

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

»Bienaventurado es el hombre a quien Dios corrige; por tanto, no desprecies la reprensión del Todopoderoso.

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

Porque él es quien hace la herida, pero él la venda; él golpea, pero sus manos curan.

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

En seis tribulaciones te librará, y en la séptima no te tocará el mal.

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

En tiempo de hambre te salvará de la muerte, y del poder de la espada en la guerra.

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

Del azote de la lengua serás protegido y no temerás cuando venga la destrucción.

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

De la destrucción y del hambre te reirás y no temerás a las fieras del campo,

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.

pues aun con las piedras del campo harás un pacto y las fieras del campo estarán en paz contigo.

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

Sabrás que hay paz en tu tienda: visitarás tu morada y nada te faltará.

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.

Asimismo verás que tu descendencia es mucha, que tu prole es como la hierba de la tierra.

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

Llegarás con vigor a la sepultura, como gavilla de trigo recogido a su tiempo.

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

Nosotros lo hemos inquirido, y esto es así. Escúchalo y conócelo para tu propio provecho.»