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56:1 Let us, therefore, pray for those who have fallen into any
transgression, that moderation and humility may be given unto them, to the end
that they should submit themselves, I do not say unto us, but unto the will of
God; for so shall they obtain a fruitful and perfect remembrance and compassion
before God and his saints.
56:2 Let us accept, brethren, that discipline at which no one needeth to be
offended. The admonition which we make one toward another is good and useful
exceedingly, for it joineth us unto the will of God.
56:3 For thus speaketh the holy word: The Lord hath chastened me with
chastisements, but he hath not given me over unto death.
56:4 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth.
56:5 The righteous shall chastise me in pity and shall rebuke me, but let not
the oil of sinners anoint mine head.
56:6 And again he saith: Blessed is the man whom the Lord hath rebuked;
refuse not thou the admonition of the Almighty, for he maketh thee to grieve,
and again he restoreth thee;
56:7 he hath smitten, and his hands have healed thee;
56:8 six times shall he deliver thee from calamity, and the seventh time evil
shall not touch thee.
56:9 In the time of famine he shall deliver thee from death, in war he shall
redeem thee from the hand of iron.
56:10 From the scourge of the tongue shall he hide thee, and thou shalt not
be afraid when evils approach.
56:11 The unjust and the sinner shalt thou laugh to scorn;
56:12 and of the wild beasts thou shalt not be afraid, for the wild beasts
shall be at peace with thee.
56:13 Then shalt thou know that thy house shall be at peace; the habitation
of thy tabernacle shall not fail.
56:14 Thou shalt know that thy seed is abundant, thy children like all the
herb of the field.
56:15 Thou shalt come to thy tomb like a ripe ear of corn reaped in due
season, like the heap of a threshing-floor that is gathered at its proper time.
56:16 Ye see, beloved, that there is a protection for them that are chastened
by the Master, for God chasteneth us because he is good, to the end that we
should be admonished by his holy discipline.