Be Faithful When Tested

1Students, if you decide

to worship and obey the Lord,

be ready to face problems.

2Have firm self-control

and don't act too quickly

if trouble strikes.

3Don't turn from the Lord,

but be faithful;

that's the way to succeed.

4Accept everything that happens.

Be patient if others

humiliate you--

5 humiliation tests people

as a furnace tests gold.

6The Lord will give his help,

if you depend only on him

and do right.

7If you fear the Lord

and are patient,

he will show you mercy.

But if you turn away,

you will fall.

8Put your trust in him,

and he will reward you.

9Don't give up hoping

for good things, like mercy

and a life full of joy.

10Look at past generations--

did the Lord desert those people

who trusted and feared him?

Or did he fail to answer those

who asked him for help?

11The Lord is kind

and shows mercy

by forgiving our sins

and rescuing us from trouble.

12But the Lord will send trouble

if you don't have the courage

to be faithful

and to stay away from sin.

13If you are too afraid

to put your trust in him,

he will not protect you

when problems come.

14And if you give up,

you will be in for trouble

when the Lord decides

to judge your life.

* 15 If you love the Lord

and respect him,

you will obey his commands.

16You will try to please him

and to be completely faithful

to his Law.

17If you fear the Lord,

you will prepare yourself

to worship him

with humility.

18We pray, Lord, that you

will decide our future.

You are as merciful

as you are majestic,

so don't leave our fate

in human hands.