Coping with Troubles

¹My child, when you come to serve the Lord,

expect to encounter troubles.

²Firmly resolve to go in the right direction,

and don’t flinch in the face of adversity.

³Cling to the Lord and do not leave him

so that your last days may be prosperous.

⁴Accept whatever comes your way,

and be patient in times of humiliation.

⁵For gold is tested in the fire,

and worthy souls in the furnace of humiliation.

⁶Trust in the Lord, and he will help you.

Follow a straight path, and hope in him.

⁷You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;

don’t turn away from him, or you may fall.

⁸You who fear the Lord, trust in him,

and you will not lose your reward.

⁹You who fear the Lord, hope for good things

and for lasting joy and mercy.

¹⁰Look at the generations of old and consider:

Has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?

Has anyone stood firm in the fear of him and been forsaken?

Has anyone called upon him and been ignored by him?

¹¹For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;

he forgives sins and saves in times of distress.

¹²How terrible it will be for the fearful and cowardly

and for the sinner who leads a double life!

¹³How terrible it will be for the fainthearted who have no trust,

for they will not be protected!

¹⁴How terrible it will be for you who have lost your nerve!

What will you do when the Lord brings about justice?

¹⁵Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words,

and those who love him keep his ways.

¹⁶Those who fear the Lord try to please him,

and those who love him are filled with his law.

¹⁷Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts

and humble themselves in his presence.

¹⁸Let us fall into the hands of the Lord

rather than into the hands of people,

for his mercy is equal to his majesty.