1Call now, is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the saints will you turn? 2For vexation kills the fool, and envy slays the simple one. 3I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling place. 4His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, nor [is there] any to deliver [them]. 5Their harvest the hungry eats, and takes it even out of the thorns; and the snare swallows up their wealth. 6For affliction does not come forth from the dust, nor does trouble spring up out of the ground; 7but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. 8Truly, I would seek to God, and to God I would put my plea, 9[Who is] doing great things, even beyond searching; marvelous things without number, 10who gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the field, 11to set on high those who are low, so that those who mourn may be lifted up [to] safety; 12frustrating the plans of the crafty, nor did their hands do wisely. 13[He] takes the wise in their own craftiness; and the counsel of the wily is carried headlong. 14They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noonday as in the night. 15But He saves the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. 16And there is hope for the weak, and injustice shuts her mouth. 17Behold, blessed [is] the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 18For He makes sore, and binds up; He wounds, and His hands make whole. 19He will deliver you in six troubles; yea, in seven no evil shall touch you. 20In famine He shall redeem you from death; and in war from the power of the sword. 21You shall be hidden from the whip of the tongue; neither shall you be afraid of robbery when it comes. 22At destruction and famine you shall laugh; neither shall you be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23For you [shall be] in covenant with the stones of the field; and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. 24And you shall know that your tent [is in] peace; and you shall visit your fold, and shall miss nothing. 25And [you] shall know that your seed [will be] numerous, and your offspring as the grass of the earth. 26You shall come to [your] grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season. 27Behold this: we have searched it; it is so. Hear it and know for yourself.