[1] "Call now; is there any one who will answer you? To which of the holy
ones will you turn? [2] Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays
the simple. [3] I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his
dwelling. [4] His sons are far from safety, they are crushed in the gate,
and there is no one to deliver them. [5] His harvest the hungry eat, and he
takes it even out of thorns; and the thirsty pant after his wealth. [6] For
affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the
ground; [7] but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. [8] "As
for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause; [9] who does
great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: [10] he
gives rain upon the earth and sends waters upon the fields; [11] he sets on
high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. [12] He
frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no
success. [13] He takes the wise in their own craftiness; and the schemes of
the wily are brought to a quick end. [14] They meet with darkness in the
daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night. [15] But he saves the
fatherless from their mouth, the needy from the hand of the mighty. [16] So
the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth. [17] "Behold, happy is
the man whom God reproves; therefore despise not the chastening of the
Almighty. [18] For he wounds, but he binds up; he smites, but his hands
heal. [19] He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven there shall no
evil touch you. [20] In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war
from the power of the sword. [21] You shall be hid from the scourge of the
tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. [22] At destruction
and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
[23] For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the
beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. [24] You shall know that
your tent is safe, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. [25]
You shall know also that your descendants shall be many, and your offspring
as the grass of the earth. [26] You shall come to your grave in ripe old
age, as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season.
[27] Lo, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your
good."
