1My son, if you draw near to serve Yahweh, prepare yourself for every trial.
2Prepare your heart and be strong, and do not be alarmed in the day of calamity.
3Cling to him and do not turn away, so that you may prosper at your end.
4Accept whatever comes upon you, and in your ruin, be patient.
5For gold is tested in fire, and people in the furnace of affliction.
6Believe in him, and he will support you; make your ways straight, and hope in him.
7You who fear Yahweh, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside, lest you fall.
8You who fear Yahweh, believe in him, and he will not withhold your reward.
9You who fear Yahweh, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.
10Look to the first generations: who believed in Yahweh and was put to shame? Or who trusted in him and was forsaken? Or who called to him and was not answered?
11For Yahweh is compassionate and gracious, forgiving iniquities and saving in time of trouble.
12Woe to the faint of heart and weak of hands, and to the wicked one who is crooked of ways.
13Woe to a heart that does not believe, for it will not be established.
14Woe to you who have lost hope! What will you do when Yahweh visits?
15Those who fear Yahweh will not disobey his ways, and those who love him will keep his paths.
16Those who fear Yahweh will seek his favor, and those who love him will learn his law.
17Those who fear Yahweh will prepare their hearts, and before him they will humble their spirit.
18Let us fall into the hand of Yahweh and not into the hand of man, for as his greatness is, so is his mercy.
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