1Call out now. Is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn? 2For anger kills a foolish man, and jealousy slays a simple one. 3I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling place. 4His sons are far from safety, they are crushed in the gate, and there is no one to rescue them. 5The hungry eat up his harvest, taking it even from the thorns, and a snare snatches their wealth. 6For affliction does not come forth from the dust, nor does trouble spring up out of the ground; 7yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. 8But indeed, I would seek the Mighty God, and before God I would lay out my case; 9who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: 10He gives rain upon the face of the earth, and sends waters abroad; 11He sets the lowly on high, and those who mourn are exalted to safety; 12He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot bring about their success; 13He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the twisted is precipitated. 14They meet with darkness by day, and grope at midday as in the night. 15But He saves the needy from the sword, from the mouth of the mighty, and from their hand. 16So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth. 17Behold, blessed is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 18For He bruises, but He binds up; He shatters, but His hands heal. 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 scourge of the tongue, and you shall not be afraid of devastation when it comes. 22You shall laugh at devastation and famine, and you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. 24You shall know that your tent is in peace; you shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss. 25You shall also know that your seed shall be many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth. 26You shall come to the grave in full vigor, as a sheaf of grain springs up in its season. 27Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear and know it for yourself.