1
“Call now—does anyone answer you? And to which of the set-apart ones shall you turn?
2
For provocation kills the foolish, and jealousy puts the simple to death.
3
I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I pierced his dwelling.
4
His sons are far from Salvation; they are crushed in the gate, with none to deliver.
5
The hungry devours his harvest, even taking it from among thorns; and the snare swallows their strength.
6
For crookedness does not come forth from dust, and trouble does not sprout from the ground.
7
Yet Adam is born for trouble, as sparks lift themselves to fly.
8
But I would seek El, and to Elohim I would set my matter—
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the One doing great things beyond searching, wonders without number;
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the One giving rain upon the face of the earth and sending waters upon the face of the fields;
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setting the lowly on high, so that those mourning are lifted into safety;
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frustrating the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform sound counsel;
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taking the wise in their own craftiness, so that the counsel of the twisted is hurried away.
14
By day they meet darkness, and at midday they grope as in the night.
15
But He saves the poor from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the strong.
16
Thus there is hope for the crushed, and crookedness shuts her mouth.
17
See, blessed is the mighty one whom Eloah corrects; therefore do not reject the discipline of Shaddai.
18
For He causes pain, yet He binds up; He shatters, yet His hands heal.
19
In six distresses He delivers you, and in seven evil shall not touch you.
20
In famine He redeems you from death, and in battle from the hands of the sword.
21
You shall be concealed from the lash of the tongue, and you shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22
At destruction and hunger you shall laugh, and you shall not fear the living ones of the earth.
23
For your covenant shall be with the stones of the field, and the living ones of the field shall be at shalom with you.
24
You shall know that your tent is shalom; you shall visit your dwelling and not miss anything.
25
You shall know that your seed is many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth.
26
You shall enter the grave in full strength, as a heap of grain rises in its appointed time.
27
See, we have searched this; it is so. Hear it, and know it for yourself.”