1"Call now, is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the saints will you turn?

2For wrath kills the fool, and envy slays the simple one.

3I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I beheld his dwelling place cursed.

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 up, 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;

7Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

8But as for me, I would seek to God, and to God I would commit my cause,

9 Who is doing great things, even beyond searching; marvelous things without number,

10Who gives rain upon the earth and sends waters upon the field,

11To set on high those who are low, so that those who mourn may be lifted up to safety;

12He frustrates the devising of the crafty, so that their hands cannot achieve prosperity.

13He takes the wise in their own craftiness; and the schemes of the cunning are carried headlong upon them.

14They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at the noonday as in the night.

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

16So then there is hope for the weak, and iniquity shuts her mouth.

17Behold, happy 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 scourge of the tongue; neither shall you be afraid of destruction 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 tabernacle is in peace; and you shall visit your habitation, 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 out; it is true. Hear it and know for yourself."