1 Job, call out for help

and see if an angel comes!

2 Envy and jealousy

will kill a stupid fool.

3 I have seen fools take root.

But God sends a curse,

suddenly uprooting them

4 and leaving their children

helpless in court.

5 Then hungry and greedy people

gobble up their crops

and grab their wealth.*

6 Our suffering isn't caused

by 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 earth

and waters the fields.

11 He protects the sorrowful

and lifts up those

who 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 needy

from the words of the wicked

and the fist of the mighty.

16 The poor are filled with hope,

and injustice is silenced.

17 * Consider yourself fortunate

if God All-Powerful

chooses to correct you.

18 * He may cause injury and pain,

but he will bandage and heal

your cuts and bruises.

19 God will protect you from harm,

no matter how often

trouble may strike.

20 In times of war and famine,

God will keep you safe.

21 You will be sheltered,

without fear of hurtful words

or any other weapon.

22 You will laugh at the threat

of destruction and famine.

And you won't be afraid

of wild animals—

23 they will no longer be fierce,

and your rocky fields

will become friendly.

24 Your home will be secure,

and your sheep will be safe.

25 You will have more descendants

than there are blades of grass

on the face of the earth.

26 You will live a very long life,

and your body will be strong

until the day you die.

27 Our experience has proven

these things to be true,

so listen and learn.