4
His children are 1far from safety; they are crushed in 2the gate, and there is no one to deliver them.
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The hungry eat his harvest, and he takes it even out of thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.
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For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground,
7
but man is 3born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.
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"As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,
9
who 4does great things and 5unsearchable, 6marvelous things without number:
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he gives 7rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;
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he 8sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
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He 9frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
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He 10catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
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They meet with darkness in the daytime and 11grope at noonday as in the night.
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But he 12saves the needy from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the mighty.
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So the poor have hope, and 13injustice shuts her mouth.
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"Behold, 14blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore 15despise not the discipline of the 16Almighty.
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For he wounds, but he 17binds up; he 18shatters, but his hands heal.
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He will 19deliver you from six troubles; in seven no 20evil shall touch you.
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21In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
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You shall be 22hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
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At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear 23the beasts of the earth.
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For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
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You shall know that your 24tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
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You shall know also that your 25offspring shall be many, and your descendants as 26the grass of the earth.
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You shall come to your grave in 27ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27
Behold, this we have 28searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good."