Sirach 2:1-17
Revised Standard Version
Duties toward God
2 My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for temptation.[a]
2 Set your heart right and be steadfast,
and do not be hasty in time of calamity.
3 Cleave to him and do not depart,
that you may be honored at the end of your life.
4 Accept whatever is brought upon you,
and in changes that humble you be patient.
5 For gold is tested in the fire,
and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
6 Trust in 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 turn not aside, lest you fall.
8 You who fear the Lord, trust in him,
and your reward will not fail;
9 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.
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.
Footnotes
- Sirach 2:1 Or trials
- Sirach 2:10 Gk of him
1 Maccabees 2:49-64
Revised Standard Version
The Last Words of Mattathias
49 Now the days drew near for Mattathi′as to die, and he said to his sons: “Arrogance and reproach have now become strong; it is a time of ruin and furious anger. 50 Now, my children, show zeal for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of our fathers.
51 “Remember the deeds of the fathers, which they did in their generations; and receive great honor and an everlasting name. 52 Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness? 53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt. 54 Phin′ehas our father, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood. 55 Joshua, because he fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel. 56 Caleb, because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in the land. 57 David, because he was merciful, inherited the throne of the kingdom for ever. 58 Eli′jah because of great zeal for the law was taken up into heaven. 59 Hanani′ah, Azari′ah, and Mish′a-el believed and were saved from the flame. 60 Daniel because of his innocence was delivered from the mouth of the lions.
61 “And so observe, from generation to generation, that none who put their trust in him will lack strength. 62 Do not fear the words of a sinner, for his splendor will turn into dung and worms. 63 Today he will be exalted, but tomorrow he will not be found, because he has returned to the dust, and his plans will perish. 64 My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honor.
Read full chapterRevised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Bible Gateway Recommends
