1 “ Call now, is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn?

2 “ For anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple.

3 “ I have seen the foolish taking root, And I cursed his abode immediately.

4 “ His sons are far from safety, They are even oppressed in the gate, And there is no deliverer.

5 “ His harvest the hungry devour And take it to a place of thorns, And the schemer is eager for their wealth.

6 “ For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble sprout from the ground,

7 F or man is born for trouble, As sparks fly upward.

8 “ But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God;

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

10 “ He gives rain on the earth And sends water on the fields,

11 S o that He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

12 “ He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd, So that their hands cannot attain success.

13 “ He captures the wise by their own shrewdness, And the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted.

14 “ By day they meet with darkness, And grope at noon as in the night.

15 “ But He saves from the sword of their mouth, And the poor from the hand of the mighty.

16 “ So the helpless has hope, And unrighteousness must shut its mouth.

17 “ Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

18 “ For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal.

19 “ From six troubles He will deliver you, Even in seven evil will not touch you.

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

21 “ You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you will not be afraid of violence when it comes.

22 “ You will laugh at violence and famine, And you will not be afraid of wild beasts.

23 “ For you will be in league with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.

24 “ You will know that your tent is secure, For you will visit your abode and fear no loss.

25 “ You will know also that your descendants will be many, And your offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 “ You will come to the grave in full vigor, Like the stacking of grain in its season.

27 “ Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is. Hear it, and know for yourself.”