ORDINARIVM

ECCLESIASTICI 2:1-6

Prepare Thy Soul for Temptation

Ecclesiasticus 2:1-6 (Sirach) is the classic instruction on entering divine service: 'Prepare thy soul for temptation.' This deuterocanonical wisdom text teaches that God tests the faithful as gold is tried in fire. It is the scriptural foundation for understanding spiritual combat as integral to the Christian vocation.

LATINE
Fili, accedens ad servitutem Dei,
sta in iustitia et timore,
et praepara animam tuam ad tentationem.
Deprime cor tuum, et sustine;
inclina aurem tuam, et suscipe verba intellectus;
et ne festines in tempore obductionis.
Sustine sustentationes Dei; coniungere Deo, et sustine,
ut crescat in novissimo vita tua.
Omne quod tibi applicitum fuerit accipe,
et in dolore sustine, et in humilitate tua patientiam habe.
Quoniam in igne probatur aurum et argentum,
homines vero receptibiles in camino humiliationis.
Crede Deo, et recuperabit te;
et dirige viam tuam, et spera in illum.
ENGLISH
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.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims / Vulgata
USUS
Beginning spiritual life, times of trial
CONTEXT
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is one of the deuterocanonical books, retained in the Catholic canon but not in Protestant Bibles. It contains practical wisdom for spiritual combat.