About acts of righteousness…

 Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! † It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. † And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God." † "But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. † Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. † In famine he will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. † You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. † You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth. † Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. † But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. † For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. † May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. † Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. † May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. †

Verse References In The Order Presented Above -- Joshua 24:16 ; Joshua 24:17 ; Joshua 24:18 ; Ezra 9:8 ; Ezra 9:9 ; Job 5:20 ; Job 5:21 ; Job 5:22 ; Psalms 5:10 ; Psalms 5:11 ; Psalms 5:12 ; Psalms 19:14 ; Psalms 25:20 ; Psalms 25:21