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“They cry for help but no one listens; they turn to their gods, but none gives them aid. They die in helpless frustration, overcome by their own anger. Those who turn from God may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster. Their children are cheated, with no one to defend them. Their harvests are stolen, and their wealth slakes the thirst of many others, not themselves! Misery comes upon them to punish them for sowing seeds of sin. Mankind heads for sin and misery as predictably as flames shoot upwards from a fire.

“My advice to you is this: Go to God and confess your sins to him.[a] For he does wonderful miracles, marvels without number. 10 He sends the rain upon the earth to water the fields, 11 and gives prosperity to the poor and humble, and takes sufferers to safety.

12 “He frustrates the plans of crafty men. 13 They are caught in their own traps; he thwarts their schemes. 14 They grope like blind men in the daylight; they see no better in the daytime than at night.

15 “God saves the fatherless and the poor from the grasp of these oppressors. 16 And so at last the poor have hope, and the fangs of the wicked are broken.

17 “How enviable the man whom God corrects! Oh, do not despise the chastening of the Lord when you sin. 18 For though he wounds, he binds and heals again. 19 He will deliver you again and again so that no evil can touch you.

20 “He will keep you from death in famine and from the power of the sword in time of war.

21 “You will be safe from slander; no need to fear the future.

22 “You shall laugh at war and famine; wild animals will leave you alone. 23 Dangerous animals will be at peace with you.

24 “You need not worry about your home while you are gone; nothing shall be stolen from your barns.

25 “Your sons shall become important men; your descendants shall be as numerous as grass! 26 You shall live a long, good life; like standing grain, you’ll not be harvested until it’s time! 27 I have found from experience that all of this is true. For your own good, listen to my counsel.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 5:8 Go to God and confess your sins to him, literally, “I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause.”

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