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Faithfulness to God

My child, if you are going to serve the Lord, be prepared for times when you will be put to the test. Be sincere and determined. Keep calm when trouble comes. Stay with the Lord; never abandon him, and you will be prosperous at the end of your days. Accept whatever happens to you. Even if you suffer humiliation, be patient. (A)Gold is tested by fire, and human character is tested in the furnace of humiliation. Trust the Lord, and he will help you. Walk straight in his ways, and put your hope in him.

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Duties toward God

My child, when you come to serve the Lord,
    prepare yourself for testing.[a](A)
Set your heart right and be steadfast,
    and do not be impetuous in time of calamity.
Cling to him and do not depart,
    so that your last days may be prosperous.
Accept whatever befalls you,
    and in times of humiliation be patient.
For gold is tested in the fire,
    and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation.[b](B)
Trust in him, and he will help you;
    make your ways straight and hope in him.(C)

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Notas al pie

  1. 2.1 Or trials
  2. 2.5 Other ancient authorities add in sickness and poverty put your trust in him

Chapter 2

Trust in God

My child, when you come to serve the Lord,[a]
    prepare yourself for trials.(A)
Be sincere of heart and steadfast,
    and do not be impetuous in time of adversity.
Cling to him, do not leave him,
    that you may prosper in your last days.

Accept whatever happens to you;
    in periods of humiliation be patient.
For in fire gold is tested,
    and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation.(B)
Trust in God, and he will help you;
    make your ways straight and hope in him.

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Notas al pie

  1. 2:1–11 Serving the Lord is not without its trials (v. 1); but no matter what happens, the genuine believer will remain sincere, steadfast, and faithful (vv. 2–3). Misfortune and humiliation are means of purification to prove one’s worth (vv. 4–5). Ben Sira believed that patience and unwavering trust in God are ultimately rewarded with the benefits of God’s mercy and of lasting joy (vv. 6–11).

Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.

Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds.

Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.

Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience.

For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein.

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