Sirach: Ben Sira

¹My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. ²Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble. ³Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end. ⁴Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate. ⁵For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. ⁶Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him. ⁷Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall. ⁸Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail. ⁹Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy. ¹⁰Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him? ¹¹For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.

¹⁴A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. ¹⁵Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. ¹⁶A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him. ¹⁷Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.