[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] For 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] Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number.
[10] He gives rain on the earth And sends water on the fields,
[11] So 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.”