But you!
– a chosen race, 1
a kingly priesthood,
a holy nation.2
a race to be possessed
so that
you might proclaim the excellencies
of him
who called you from darkness
into his marvellous light.
Those who once were not a people
But now (are the) people of God
those having not been shown mercy
now having been shown mercy.3
Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbour,
where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can always see the right direction in which I should go.
And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough and the waves are high,
knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name
we shall find comfort and peace.
Amen
Basil of Caesarea (c.329-379)