1 « Chiama pure! C’è forse chi ti risponda? A quale dei santi vorrai tu rivolgerti?

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

2 N o, il cruccio non uccide che l’insensato e l’irritazione fa morire lo stolto.

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

3 I o ho visto l’insensato mettere radici, ma ben presto ho dovuto maledire la sua casa.

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

4 I suoi figli vanno privi di soccorso, sono oppressi alla porta della città e non c’è chi li difenda.

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

5 L ’affamato gli divora il raccolto, glielo ruba perfino dalle spine; l’assetato gli trangugia i beni.

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

6 I nfatti la sventura non spunta dalla terra, né il dolore germina dal suolo;

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

7 m a l’uomo nasce per soffrire, come la favilla per volare in alto.

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

8 « Io però vorrei cercare Dio, a Dio vorrei esporre la mia causa;

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

9 a lui, che fa cose grandi, imperscrutabili, meraviglie innumerevoli;

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

10 c he sparge la pioggia sopra la terra e manda l’acqua sui campi;

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

11 c he innalza quelli che erano abbassati e pone in salvo gli afflitti, in luogo elevato;

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 c he sventa i disegni degli astuti, sicché le loro mani non giungono a eseguirli;

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

13 c he prende gli abili nella loro astuzia, sicché il consiglio degli scaltri va in rovina.

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 D i giorno essi incorrono nelle tenebre, a mezzogiorno brancolano come di notte.

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

15 M a Dio salva il meschino dalla spada della loro bocca, e il povero dalla mano del potente.

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

16 C osì per il misero c’è speranza, mentre l’iniquità chiude la bocca.

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

17 « Beato l’uomo che Dio corregge! Tu non disprezzare la lezione dell’Onnipotente;

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

18 p erché egli fa la piaga, ma poi la fascia; egli ferisce, ma le sue mani guariscono.

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

19 I n sei sciagure egli sarà il tuo liberatore, e in sette il male non ti toccherà.

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

20 I n tempo di carestia ti scamperà dalla morte, in tempo di guerra dai colpi della spada.

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

21 S arai sottratto al flagello della lingua, non temerai quando verrà il disastro.

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

22 I n mezzo al disastro e alla fame riderai, non temerai le belve della terra;

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

23 p erché avrai per alleate le pietre del suolo, e gli animali dei campi saranno con te in pace.

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 S aprai al sicuro la tua tenda; e, visitando i tuoi pascoli, vedrai che non ti manca nulla.

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

25 S aprai che la tua discendenza moltiplica, che i tuoi rampolli crescono come l’erba dei campi.

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 e ne andrai maturo alla tomba, come i covoni di grano si accumulano a suo tempo.

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

27 E cco quel che abbiamo trovato, riflettendo. Così è. Tu ascolta e fanne tesoro».

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