Job 5:1-27 ERV

[1] "Job, call out if you want, and see if anyone answers! But to which of the angels will you turn? [2] A fool's anger will kill him. His jealousy will destroy him. [3] I saw a fool who thought he was safe, but suddenly he died. [4] There was no one to help his children. No one defended them in court. [5] Hungry people ate all his crops, even the grain growing among the thorns, and greedy people took all he had. [6] Bad times don't come up from the dirt. Trouble does not grow from the ground. [7] But people are born to have trouble, as surely as sparks rise from a fire. [8] If I were you, I would turn to God and tell him about my problems. [9] People cannot understand the wonderful things God does. His miracles are too many to count. [10] He sends rain all over the earth and waters the fields. [11] He raises up the humble and makes sad people happy. [12] He spoils the plans of even the smartest people so that they will not succeed. [13] He catches those who think they are wise in their own clever traps and brings to an end their evil plans. [14] Daylight will be like darkness for them. Even at noon they will have to feel their way as in the dark. [15] God saves the poor from the hurtful words of the wicked. He saves them from those who are powerful. [16] So the poor have hope; God shuts the mouths of those who would cause them harm. [17] "You are fortunate when God corrects you. So don't complain when God All-Powerful punishes you. [18] God might injure you, but he will bandage those wounds. He might hurt you, but his hands also heal. [19] He will save you again and again. No evil will harm you. [20] God will save you from death when there is famine. He will protect you from the sword when there is war. [21] People might say bad things about you with their sharp tongues. But God will protect you. You will not be afraid when bad things happen! [22] You will laugh at destruction and famine. You will not be afraid of wild animals! [23] It is as if you have a peace treaty with the wild animals and the rocks in the field. [24] You will live in peace because your tent is safe. You will count your property and find nothing missing. [25] You will have many children. They will be as many as the blades of grass on the earth. [26] You will be like the wheat that grows until harvest time. Yes, you will live to a ripe old age. [27] "We have studied this and know it is true. So listen to us, and learn for yourself."