God's Faithfulness and Mercy
Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 1. My son, if you draw near to serve the Lord, Prepare your soul for temptation. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 2. Set your heart right and be steadfast, And do not strive anxiously in distress. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 3. Cleave to Him and do not fall away, That you may be honored at the end of your life. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 4. Accept whatever is brought upon you, And in exchange for your humiliation, be patient; Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 5. Because gold is tested in fire And acceptable men in the furnace of abasement. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 6. Believe in Him, and He will help you; Make your ways straight and hope in Him. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 7. You who fear the Lord, wait for His mercy, And do not turn aside, lest you fall. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 8. You who fear the Lord, believe in Him, And your reward will not fail. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 9. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things And for everlasting gladness and mercy. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 10. Consider the ancient generations and see: Who believed in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who stood fast in His fear and was forsaken? Or who called upon Him and was overlooked? Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 11. Because the Lord is compassionate and merciful, He forgives sins and saves in time of affliction. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 12. Woe to cowardly hearts and weakened hands, And to a sinner who walks on two paths! Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 13. Woe to a fainting heart, because it does not believe! Therefore it will not be sheltered. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 14. Woe to you who have lost your patient endurance! What will you do when the Lord visits you? Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 15. Those who fear the Lord will not disobey His words, And those who love Him will keep His ways. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 16. Those who fear the Lord will seek His approval, And those who love Him will be filled with the law. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 17. Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts And will humble their souls before Him. Wisdom of Sirach 2, verse 18. 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.