1 Job, call out for helpand see if an angel comes!
2 Envy and jealousywill kill a stupid fool.
3 I have seen fools take root.But God sends a curse,suddenly uprooting them
4 and leaving their childrenhelpless in court.
5 Then hungry and greedy peoplegobble up their cropsand grab their wealth.
6 Our suffering isn't causedby the failure of crops;
7 it's all part of life,like sparks shooting skyward.
8 Job, if I were you,I would ask God for help.
9 His miracles are marvelous,more than we can count.
10 God sends showers on earthand waters the fields.
11 He protects the sorrowfuland lifts up thosewho have been disgraced.*
12 God swiftly traps the wicked
13 in their own evil schemes,and their wisdom fails.
14 Darkness is their only companion,hiding their path at noon.
15 God rescues the needyfrom the words of the wickedand the fist of the mighty.
16 The poor are filled with hope,and injustice is silenced.
17 Consider yourself fortunateif God All-Powerfulchooses to correct you.
18 He may cause injury and pain,but he will bandage and healyour cuts and bruises.
19 God will protect you from harm,no matter how oftentrouble may strike.
20 In times of war and famine,God will keep you safe.
21 You will be sheltered,without fear of hurtful wordsor any other weapon.
22 You will laugh at the threatof destruction and famine.And you won't be afraidof wild animals—
23 they will no longer be fierce,and your rocky fieldswill become friendly.
24 Your home will be secure,and your sheep will be safe.
25 You will have more descendantsthan there are blades of grasson the face of the earth.
26 You will live a very long life,and your body will be stronguntil the day you die.
27 Our experience has proventhese things to be true,so listen and learn.