Wisdom of Sirach 2
1My son, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation.
2Set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.
3Cleave to him, and depart not away, that you may be increased at your last end.
4Whatsoever is brought upon you take cheerfully, and be patient when you are changed to a low estate.
5For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.
6Believe in him, and he will help you; order your way aright, and trust in him.
7You that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest you fall.
8You that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail.
9You that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.
10Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?
11For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgives sins, and saves in time of affliction.
12Woe be to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goes two ways!
13Woe to him that is faint-hearted! for he believes not; therefore shall he not be defended.
14Woe to you that have lost patience! and what will you do when the Lord shall visit you?
15They that fear the Lord will not disobey his Word; and they that love him will keep his ways.
16They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well, pleasing to him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law.
17They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight,
18Saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his mercy.
Commentaries for Wisdom of Sirach 2:0