Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1My sonne, if thou come to serue the Lorde, prepare thy soule for temptation. 2Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble. 3Cleaue vnto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end. 4Whatsoeuer is brought vpon thee, take cheerefully, and bee patient when thou art changed to a lowe estate. 5For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of aduersitie. 6Beleeue in him, and he will helpe thee, order thy way aright, and trust in him. 7Ye that feare the Lord, waite for his mercie, and goe not aside, lest ye fall. 8Yee that feare the Lord, beleeue him, and your reward shall not faile. 9Ye that feare the Lord, hope for good, and for euerlasting ioy and mercy. 10Looke at the generations of old, and see, did euer any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his feare, & was forsaken? or whom did hee euer despise, that called vpon him? 11For the Lord is full of compassion, and mercie, longsuffering, and very pitifull, and forgiueth sinnes, and saueth in time of affliction. 12Woe be to fearefull hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goeth two wayes. 13Woe vnto him that is faint hearted, for he beleeueth not, therefore shall he not be defended. 14Woe vnto you that haue lost patience: and what will ye doe when the Lord shall visite you? 15They that feare the Lord, will not disobey his word, and they that loue him, will keepe his wayes. 16They that feare the Lord, will seeke that which is well pleasing vnto him, and they that loue him, shall bee filled with the Law. 17They that feare the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and humble their soules in his sight: 18Saying, We will fal into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as his maiestie is, so is his mercie.