The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Son of Sirach 51
A Prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach.
1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, O King,
and will praise you, O God my Savior.
I give thanks to your name,
2 for you have been my protector and
helper, and delivered my body out of destruction,
and out of the snare of a slanderous
tongue, from lips that fabricate lies.
You were my helper before those who stood by,
3 and delivered me, according to the
abundance of your mercy and of
your name, from the gnashings of teeth ready to
devourm out of the hand of those seeking my
life, out of the many afflictions I endured,
4 from the choking of a fire on every
side, and out ofthemidst offire thatIhadn’t
kindled,
5 out of the depth of the belly of Hades,
from an unclean tongue, and from lying words
6 the slander of an unrighteous tongue
to the king. My soul drew near to death.
My life was near to Hades.
7 They surrounded me on every side.
There was no one to help me.
I was looking for human help,
and there was none.
8 Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,
and your working which has been
from everlasting, how you deliver those who wait for
you, and save them out of the hand of their
enemies.
9 I lifted up my prayer from the earth,
and prayed for deliverance from death.
10 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my
Lord, that he would not forsake me in the
days of affliction, in the time when there
was no help against the proud.
11 I will praise your name continually.
I will sing praise with thanksgiving.
My prayer was heard.
12 You saved me from destruction
and delivered me from the evil time.
Therefore I will give thanks and praise to
you, and bless the name of the Lord.
13 When I was yet young, before I went abroad,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
14 Before the temple I asked for her.
I will seek her out even to the end.
15 From the first flower to the ripening
grape my heart delighted in her.
My foot walked in uprightness.
From my youth I followed her steps.
16 I inclined my ear a little, and received
her, and found for myself much instruction.
17 I profited in her. I will give glory to
him who gives me wisdom.
18 For I determined to practice her.
I was zealous for that which is good.
I will never be put to shame.
19 My soul has wrestled with her.
In my conduct I was exact.
I spread outmyhands to theheavenabove,
and bewailed my ignorances of her.
20 I directed my soul to her.
In purity I found her. I got myself a
heart joined with her from the beginning.
Therefore I won’t be forsaken.
21 My belly also was troubled to seek her.
Therefore I have gained a good possession.
22 The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward.
I will praise him with it.
23 Draw near to me, all you who are uneducated,
and live in the house of instruction.
24 Why therefore are you all lacking in
these things, and your souls are very thirsty?
25 I opened my mouth and spoke,
“Get her for yourselves with out money.”
26 Put your neck under the yoke,
and let your soul receive instruction.
She is near to find.
27 See with your eyes
how that I labored just a little
and found for myself much rest.
28 Get instruction with a great sum of silver,
and gain much gold by her.
29 May your soul rejoice in his mercy,
and may you all not be put to shame in
praising him.
30 Work your work before the time comes,
and in his time he will give you your
reward.