2:1 My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.
2:2 Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.
2:3 Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.
2:4 Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient;
2:5 For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
2:6 Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
2:7 You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall.
2:8 You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.
2:9 You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.
2:10 Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
2:11 Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble.
2:12 Woe to craven hearts and drooping hands, to the sinner who treads a double path!
2:13 Woe to the faint of heart who trust not, who therefore will have no shelter!
2:14 Woe to you who have lost hope! what will you do at the visitation of the LORD?
2:15 Those who fear the LORD disobey not his words; those who love him keep his ways.
2:16 Those who fear the LORD seek to please him, those who love him are filled with his law.
2:17 Those who fear the LORD prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him.
2:18 Let us fall into the hands of the LORD and not into the hands of men, For equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.