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.