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Venerdi, 29 marzo 2024 - Santi Simplicio e Costantino ( Letture di oggi)

Sirach 51


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1I shal give thanks to you, Lord and King, and praise you, God my Saviour, I give thanks to your name;2for you have been my guard and support and redeemed my body from destruction, from the snare ofthe lying tongue, from lips that fabricate falsehood; in the presence of my assailants, you were on my side; youhave been my support, you have redeemed me,3true to your abounding kindness -- and the greatness of your name -- you liberated me from the fangsof those seeking to devour me, from the clutches of those seeking my life, from the many ordeals which I haveendured,4from the stifling heat which hemmed me in, from the heart of a fire which I had not kindled,5from deep in the bel y of Sheol,6treacherous denunciations to the king. My soul has been close to death, my life had gone down to thebrink of Sheol.7I was completely surrounded, there was no one to help me; I looked for someone to help me, there wasno one.8Then I remembered your mercy, Lord, and your deeds from earliest times, how you deliver those whowait for you patiently, and save them from the clutches of their enemies.9And I sent up my plea from the earth, I begged to be delivered from death.10I cal ed on the Lord, the father of my Lord, 'Do not desert me in the days of ordeal, in the days of theproud, when we are helpless. I shal praise your name unceasingly and grateful y sing its praises.'11And my plea was heard, for you saved me from destruction, you delivered me from that time of evil.12And therefore I shal thank you and praise you, and bless the name of the Lord.13When I was stil a youth, before I went travelling, in my prayers I asked outright for wisdom.14Outside the sanctuary I would pray for her, and to the last I shall continue to seek her.15From her blossoming to the ripening of her grape my heart has taken its delight in her. My foot haspursued a straight path, I have sought her ever since my youth.16By bowing my ear a little, I have received her, and have found much instruction.17Thanks to her I have advanced; glory be to him who has given me wisdom!18For I was determined to put her into practice, have earnestly pursued the good, and shal not be put toshame.19My soul has fought to possess her, I have been scrupulous in keeping the Law; I have stretched outmy hands to heaven and bewailed how little I knew of her;20I have directed my soul towards her, and in purity I have found her; having my heart fixed on her fromthe outset, I shall never be deserted;21my very core having yearned to discover her, I have now acquired a good possession.22In reward the Lord has given me a tongue with which I shal sing his praises.23Come close to me, you ignorant, take your place in my school.24Why complain about lacking these things when your souls are so thirsty for them?25I have opened my mouth, I have said: 'Buy her without money,26put your necks under her yoke, let your souls receive instruction, she is near, within your reach.'27See for yourselves: how slight my efforts have been to win so much peace.28Buy instruction with a large sum of silver, thanks to her you wil gain much gold.29May your souls rejoice in the mercy of the Lord, may you never be ashamed of praising him.30Do your work before the appointed time and at the appointed time he wil give you your reward.(Subscript:) Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sira.