Sirach 2:1-10

Trusting in God

1 My child, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing.
2 Set your heart straight, be steadfast, and don't act hastily in a time of distress.
3 Hold fast to God and don't keep your distance from him, so that you may find strength at your end.
4 Accept whatever happens to you, and be patient when you suffer humiliation,
5 because gold is tested with fire, and acceptable people are tested in the furnace of humiliation.
6 Trust him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him.
7 You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, and don't turn aside or else you might fall.
8 You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you won't lose your reward.
9 You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for unending joy and mercy.
10 Look at the people from long ago and see: Who trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who remained firm in godly fear and was left behind? Or who called upon the Lord, and the Lord overlooked him?

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. b adds to 2:5 In sickness and in poverty trust in him.
  • [b]. LXXb adds to 2:9 God repays with a gift of unending joy.
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