Job 5:1-27 ICB

[1] "Call if you want to, but no one will answer you. You can't turn to any of the holy ones. [2] Foolish anger kills a person. And jealousy kills a weak-minded person. [3] I have seen a fool have success like a tree taking root. But suddenly his home was destroyed. [4] His children are far away from safety. They are crushed in court with no one to defend them. [5] Hungry people eat this fool's harvest. They even take what grew up among the thorns. And thirsty people want his wealth. [6] Hard times do not come up from the ground. And trouble does not grow from the earth. [7] But man is born to have trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. [8] "But if I were you, I would call on God. I would bring my problem before him. [9] God does wonderful things that cannot be understood. He does so many miracles they cannot be counted. [10] God gives rain to the earth. He sends water on the fields. [11] God makes the humble person important. He lifts to places of safety those who are sad. [12] God ruins the plans of those who trick others. Then they have no success. [13] He catches wise men in their own clever traps. And the plans of those who try to trick others are swept away. [14] Darkness covers them up in the daytime. At noon they feel around in the dark. [15] God saves needy people from their lies. He saves them from the harm done by powerful people. [16] So the poor people have hope. And those who are unfair are silenced. [17] "The person whom God corrects is happy. So do not hate being corrected by God All-Powerful. [18] God hurts, but he also bandages up. He injures, but his hands also heal. [19] He will save you from six troubles. Even seven troubles will not harm you. [20] God will buy you back from death in times of hunger. And in battle he will save you from death by the sword. [21] You will be hidden from the tongue that hits like a whip. You will not need to be afraid when destruction comes. [22] You will laugh at destruction and hunger. You do not need to fear the wild animals. [23] This is because you will have an agreement with the animals born in the wild. And the wild animals will be at peace with you. [24] You will know that your tent is safe. You will check the things you own and find nothing missing. [25] You will know that you will have many children. Your descendants will be as many as the blades of grass on the earth. [26] You will come to the grave with all your strength. You will be like bundles of grain gathered at the right time. [27] "We have checked this, and it is true. So hear it and decide what it means to you."