Sirach 51

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 I will give thanks to thee, O Lord and King, and will praise thee as God my Savior. I give thanks to thy name,	1 The prayer of Jesus, the son of Sirach: I will confess to you, O Lord and King, and I will give praise to you, O God my Saviour.
2 for thou hast been my protector and helper and hast delivered my body from destruction and from the snare of a slanderous tongue, from lips that utter lies. Before those who stood by thou wast my helper	2 I will acknowledge your name. For you have been my Helper and Protector.
3 and didst deliver me, in the greatness of thy mercy and of thy name, from the gnashings of teeth about to devour me, from the hand of those who sought my life, from the many afflictions that I endured,	3 And you have freed my body from perdition, from the snare of the iniquitous tongue, and from the lips of those who forge lies. And you have been my Helper in the sight of those who stood nearby.
4 from choking fire on every side and from the midst of fire which I did not kindle,	4 And you have freed me according to the multitude of the mercy of your name: from those who roared and prepared to devour,
5 from the depths of the belly of Hades, from an unclean tongue and lying words--	5 from the hands of those who sought my life, and from the gates of tribulation that surrounded me,
6 the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king. My soul drew near to death, and my life was very near to Hades beneath.	6 from the oppression of the flames that surrounded me, and so I was not burned in the midst of the fire,
7 They surrounded me on every side, and there was no one to help me; I looked for the assistance of men, and there was none.	7 from the depths of the bowels of hell, and from the defiled tongue, and from lying words, from an iniquitous king, and from an unjust tongue.
8 Then I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy work from of old, that thou dost deliver those who wait for thee and dost save them from the hand of their enemies.	8 My soul shall praise the Lord, even unto death.
9 And I sent up my supplication from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death.	9 For my life was drawing near to hell below.
10 I appealed to the Lord, the Father of my lord, not to forsake me in the days of affliction, at the time when there is no help against the proud.	10 And they surrounded me on every side. And there was no one who would help me. I looked around for the assistance of men, and there was none.
11 I will praise thy name continually, and will sing praise with thanksgiving. My prayer was heard,	11 Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord, and your works, which are from the very beginning.
12 for thou didst save me from destruction and rescue me from an evil plight. Therefore I will give thanks to thee and praise thee, and I will bless the name of the Lord.	12 For you rescue those who persevere for you, O Lord, and you free them from the hands of the Gentiles.
13 While I was still young, before I went on my travels, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.	13 You exalted my habitation upon the earth, and I made supplication that death would pass away.
14 Before the temple I asked for her, and I will search for her to the last.	14 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, so that he would not abandon me in the day of my tribulation, nor in the time of arrogance without assistance.
15 From blossom to ripening grape my heart delighted in her; my foot entered upon the straight path; from my youth I followed her steps.	15 I will praise your name unceasingly, and I will praise it with thanksgiving, for my prayer was heeded.
16 I inclined my ear a little and received her, and I found for myself much instruction.	16 And you freed me from perdition, and you rescued me from the time of iniquity.
17 I made progress therein; to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.	17 Because of this, I will give thanks and praise to you, and I will bless the name of the Lord.
18 For I resolved to live according to wisdom, and I was zealous for the good; and I shall never be put to shame.	18 When I was still young, before I wandered astray, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
19 My soul grappled with wisdom, and in my conduct I was strict; I spread out my hands to the heavens, and lamented my ignorance of her.	19 I asked for her before the temple, and even to the very end, I will inquire after her. And she flourished like a newly-ripened grape.
20 I directed my soul to her, and through purification I found her. I gained understanding with her from the first, therefore I will not be forsaken.	20 My heart rejoiced in her. My feet walked in the right path. From my youth, I pursued her.
21 My heart was stirred to seek her, therefore I have gained a good possession.	21 I bent my ear a little and accepted her.
22 The Lord gave me a tongue as my reward, and I will praise him with it.	22 I found much wisdom within myself, and I benefited greatly by her.
23 Draw near to me, you who are untaught, and lodge in my school.	23 I will give glory to him who gives wisdom to me.
24 Why do you say you are lacking in these things, and why are your souls very thirsty?	24 For I have decided that I should act according to wisdom. I have been zealous for what is good, and so I will not be confounded.
25 I opened my mouth and said, Get these things for yourselves without money.	25 My soul has struggled for wisdom, and in doing so, I have been confirmed.
26 Put your neck under the yoke, and let your souls receive instruction; it is to be found close by.	26 I extended my hands on high, and I mourned my ignorance of her.
27 See with your eyes that I have labored little and found myself much rest.	27 I directed my soul toward her, and I found her within knowledge.
28 Get instruction with a large sum of silver, and you will gain by it much gold.	28 From the beginning, I held my heart to wisdom. Because of this, I will not be forsaken.
29 May your soul rejoice in his mercy, and may you not be put to shame when you praise him.	29 My stomach was stirred up while seeking her. Because of her, I will hold a good possession.
30 Do your work before the appointed time, and in God's time he will give you your reward.	30 The Lord has given me a tongue as my reward, and I will praise him with it.
	31 Draw near to me, you who are untaught, and gather yourselves into the house of discipline.
	32 Why are you reluctant? And what do you have to say about these things? Your souls are exceedingly thirsty!
	33 I have opened my mouth, and I have spoken. Buy wisdom for yourselves without silver,
	34 and subject your neck to her yoke, and let your soul accept her discipline. For she is close enough to be found.
	35 See with your own eyes how I have labored only a little, and have found much rest for myself.
	36 Take up discipline, as if it were a great sum of money, and possess an abundance of gold in her.
	37 Let your soul rejoice in his mercy. For you will not be confounded by his praise.
	38 Accomplish your work before the time. And he will give you your reward in his time.