2
Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.
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1I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling.
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His children are 2far from safety; they are crushed in 3the 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,
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but man is 4born 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,
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who 5does great things and 6unsearchable, 7marvelous things without number:
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he gives 8rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;
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he 9sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
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He 10frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
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He 11catches 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 12grope at noonday as in the night.
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But he 13saves 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 14injustice shuts her mouth.
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"Behold, 15blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore 16despise not the discipline of the 17Almighty.
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For he wounds, but he 18binds up; he 19shatters, but his hands heal.
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He will 20deliver you from six troubles; in seven no 21evil shall touch you.
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22In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
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You shall be 23hidden 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 24the 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 25tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
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You shall know also that your 26offspring shall be many, and your descendants as 27the grass of the earth.
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You shall come to your grave in 28ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
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Behold, this we have 29searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good."