Sirach 2:1-11

Common English Bible

Trusting in God

2 My child, if you come to serve the Lord,
    prepare yourself for testing.
²Set your heart straight, be steadfast,
    and don’t act hastily in a time of distress.
³Hold fast to God
and don’t keep your distance from him,
    so that you may find strength
    at your end.
⁴Accept 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.^[a]
⁶Trust him, and he will help you;
    make your ways straight,
    and hope in him.

⁷You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy,
    and don’t turn aside
    or else you might fall.
⁸You who fear the Lord, trust him,
    and you won’t lose your reward.
⁹You who fear the Lord,
hope for good things,
    for unending joy and mercy.^[b]
¹⁰Look 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?
¹¹After all, the Lord is compassionate
and merciful;
    he forgives sins and rescues people
    in a time of hardship.