Add parallel Print Page Options

Duties toward God

My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord,
    prepare yourself for temptation.[a]
Set your heart right and be steadfast,
    and do not be hasty in time of calamity.
Cleave to him and do not depart,
    that you may be honored at the end of your life.
Accept whatever is brought upon you,
    and in changes that humble you be patient.
For gold is tested in the fire,
    and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
Trust in him, and he will help you;
    make your ways straight, and hope in him.

You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;
    and turn not aside, lest you fall.
You who fear the Lord, trust in him,
    and your reward will not fail;
you who fear the Lord, hope for good things,
    for everlasting joy and mercy.
10 Consider the ancient generations and see:
    who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame?
Or who ever persevered in the fear of the Lord[b] and was forsaken?
    Or who ever called upon him and was overlooked?
11 For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;
    he forgives sins and saves in time of affliction.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Sirach 2:1 Or trials
  2. Sirach 2:10 Gk of him

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.

Who Is the Greatest?

33 And they came to Caper′na-um; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

RSV-CE Bible Ultrasoft Burgundy
RSV-CE Bible Ultrasoft Burgundy
Retail: $54.95
Our Price: $49.46
Save: $5.49 (10%)
Spiritual Warfare Bible, Imitation Leather
Spiritual Warfare Bible, Imitation Leather
Retail: $69.95
Our Price: $62.96
Save: $6.99 (10%)
RSV Didache Bible with Commentaries Based on the RC Cathechism
RSV Didache Bible with Commentaries Based on the RC Cathechism
Retail: $64.95
Our Price: $55.99
Save: $8.96 (14%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars