Blessings for the One Who Seeks God27

5:8 “But28 as for me,29 I would seek30 God,31

and to God32 I would set forth my case.33

5:9 He does34 great and unsearchable35 things,

marvelous things without36 number;37

5:10 he gives38 rain on the earth,39

and sends40 water on the fields;41

5:11 he sets42 the lowly43 on high,

that those who mourn44 are raised45 to safety.

5:12 He frustrates46 the plans47 of the crafty48

so that49 their hands cannot accomplish

what they had planned!50

5:13 He catches51 the wise in their own craftiness,52

and the counsel of the cunning53 is brought to a quick end.54

5:14 They meet with darkness in the daytime,55

and grope about56 in the noontime as if it were night.57

5:15 So he saves58 from the sword that comes from their mouth,59

even60 the poor from the hand of the powerful.

5:16 Thus the poor have hope,

and iniquity61 shuts its mouth.62

5:17 “Therefore,63 blessed64 is the man whom God corrects,65

so do not despise the discipline66 of the Almighty.67

5:18 For68 he69 wounds,70 but he also bandages;

he strikes, but his hands also heal.

5:19 He will deliver you71 from six calamities;

yes, in seven72 no evil will touch you.

5:20 In time of famine73 he will redeem you from death,

and in time of war from the power of the sword.74

5:21 You will be protected75 from malicious gossip,76

and will not be afraid of the destruction77 when it comes.

5:22 You will laugh at destruction and famine78

and need not79 be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

5:23 For you will have a pact with the stones80 of the field,

and the wild animals81 will be at peace82 with you.

5:24 And83 you will know84 that your home85

will be secure,86

and when you inspect87 your domains,

you will not be missing88 anything.

5:25 You will also know that your children89 will be numerous,

and your descendants90 like the grass of the earth.

5:26 You will come to your grave in a full age,91

As stacks of grain are harvested in their season.

5:27 Look, we have investigated this, so it is true.

Hear it,92 and apply it for your own93 good.”94