Sirach 2:12-18

Revised Standard Version

¹² Woe to timid hearts and to slack hands,
    and to the sinner who walks along two ways!
¹³ Woe to the faint heart, for it has no trust!
    Therefore it will not be sheltered.
¹⁴ Woe to you who have lost your endurance!
    What will you do when the Lord punishes you?
¹⁵ Those who fear the Lord will not disobey his words,
    and those who love him will keep his ways.
¹⁶ Those who fear the Lord will seek his approval,
    and those who love him will be filled with the law.
¹⁷ Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts,
    and will humble themselves before him.
¹⁸ Let us fall^[a] into the hands of the Lord,
    but not into the hands of men;
for as his majesty is,
    so also is his mercy.