Sirach 51

DOUAI-RHEIMS	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.	1 I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour: I do give praise unto thy name:
2 By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.	2 For thou art my defender and helper, and has preserved my body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and has been mine helper against mine adversaries:
3 In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.	3 And hast delivered me, according to the multitude of they mercies and greatness of thy name, from the teeth of them that were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of such as sought after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had;
4 He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.	4 From the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of the fire which I kindled not;
5 He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.	5 From the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words.
6 He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.	6 By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue my soul drew near even unto death, my life was near to the hell beneath.
7 And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.	7 They compassed me on every side, and there was no man to help me: I looked for the succour of men, but there was none.
8 And as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.	8 Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the enemies.
9 As a bright Are, and frankincense burning in the fire.	9 Then lifted I up my supplications from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death.
10 As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.	10 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.
11 As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.	11 I will praise thy name continually, and will sing praises with thanksgiving; and so my prayer was heard:
12 When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.	12 For thou savedst me from destruction, and deliveredst me from the evil time: therefore will I give thanks, and praise thee, and bless they name, O Lord.
13 And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,	13 When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I desired wisdom openly in my prayer.
14 And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.	14 I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek her out even to the end.
15 And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high Ring,	15 Even from the flower till the grape was ripe hath my heart delighted in her: my foot went the right way, from my youth up sought I after her.
16 He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.	16 I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her, and gat much learning.
17 He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.	17 I profited therein, therefore will I ascribe glory unto him that giveth me wisdom.
18 Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.	18 For I purposed to do after her, and earnestly I followed that which is good; so shall I not be confounded.
19 Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.	19 My soul hath wrestled with her, and in my doings I was exact: I stretched forth my hands to the heaven above, and bewailed my ignorances of her.
20 And the singers lifted up their voices. and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.	20 I directed my soul unto her, and I found her in pureness: I have had my heart joined with her from the beginning, therefore shall I not be foresaken.
21 And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.	21 My heart was troubled in seeking her: therefore have I gotten a good possession.
22 Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:	22 The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward, and I will praise him therewith.
23 And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.	23 Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house of learning.
24 And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.	24 Wherefore are ye slow, and what say ye to these things, seeing your souls are very thirsty?
25 May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:	25 I opened my mouth, and said, Buy her for yourselves without money.
26 That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.	26 Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction: she is hard at hand to find.
27 There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation, which I hate:	27 Behold with your eyes, how that I have but little labour, and have gotten unto me much rest.
28 They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.	28 Get learning with a great sum of money, and get much gold by her.
29 Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.	29 Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and be not ashamed of his praise.
30 Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things: and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.	30 Work your work betimes, and in his time he will give you your reward.
31 For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.