Count it joy, and ne­ver be dis­cour­aged,
When by tri­als your life is sore­ly pressed.
For you know that when your faith is test­ed,
Your en­dur­ance then de­vel­ops best.
Perseverance must com­plete its work­ing;
You will need to let it have its way.
When it’s done, you’ll be com­plete and per­fect,
Having all you need to meet each day.

So if any one of you lacks wis­dom,
Ask of God, who al­ways hears and cares.
He gives free­ly with­out ask­ing quest­ions;
His abun­dance will be­come your share.
But when ask­ing, you must ne­ver fal­ter,
Like a wave that’s blown and tossed about.
If you do, you’ll ne­ver gain God’s bless­ing;
Double-minded, you’ll suc­cumb to doubt.

Blest the man who per­se­veres in tri­al;
For you know the test­ing soon will pass.
When it’s o’er and you have stood un­mov­ing,
You’ll re­ceive the crown of life at last.
But when tempt­ed, ne­ver be ac­cus­ing;
It’s not God who leads you from the path.
Your own lusts se­duce you and en­tice you,
Giving birth to sin, and sin to death.

Do not let your­self yield to de­cep­tion;
God’s the source of ev­ery per­fect gift.
He’s the Maker of the stars in hea­ven,
Changing not as sha­dows move and shift.
For He chose a spi­rit birth to give you,
Through the Word of truth that you be­lieved.
Thus are you the first-fruits of His la­bors;
By His grace, sal­va­tion is achieved.