Sirach 51

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	VULGATA
1 I give you thanks, O God of my father; I praise you, O God my savior! I will make known your name, refuge of my life;	1 Oratio Jesu filii Sirach. Confitebor tibi, Domine rex, et collaudabo te Deum salvatorem meum.
2 you have been my helper against my adversaries. You have saved me from death, and kept back my body from the pit, From the clutches of the nether world you have snatched my feet;	2 Confitebor nomini tuo, quoniam adjutor et protector factus es mihi,
3 you have delivered me, in your great mercy From the scourge of a slanderous tongue, and from lips that went over to falsehood; From the snare of those who watched for my downfall, and from the power of those who sought my life; From many a danger you have saved me,	3 et liberasti corpus meum a perditione : a laqueo linguæ iniquæ, et a labiis operantium mendacium : et in conspectu astantium factus es mihi adjutor.
4 from flames that hemmed me in on every side; From the midst of unremitting fire,	4 Et liberasti me, secundum multitudinem misericordiæ nominis tui, a rugientibus præparatis ad escam :
5 From the deep belly of the nether world; From deceiving lips and painters of lies,	5 de manibus quærentium animam meam, et de portis tribulationum quæ circumdederunt me ;
6 from the arrows of dishonest tongues. I was at the point of death, my soul was nearing the depths of the nether world;	6 a pressura flammæ quæ circumdedit me, et in medio ignis non sum æstuatus ;
7 I turned every way, but there was no one to help me, I looked for one to sustain me, but could find no one.	7 de altitudine ventris inferi, et a lingua coinquinata, et a verbo mendacii, a rege iniquo, et a lingua injusta.
8 But then I remembered the mercies of the LORD, his kindness through ages past; For he saves those who take refuge in him, and rescues them from every evil.	8 Laudabit usque ad mortem anima mea Dominum,
9 So I raised my voice from the very earth, from the gates of the nether world, my cry.	9 et vita mea appropinquans erat in inferno deorsum.
10 I called out: O Lord, you are my father, you are my champion and my savior; Do not abandon me in time of trouble, in the midst of storms and dangers.	10 Circumdederunt me undique, et non erat qui adjuvaret : respiciens eram ad adjutorium hominum, et non erat.
11 I will ever praise your name and be constant in my prayers to you. Thereupon the LORD heard my voice, he listened to my appeal;	11 Memoratus sum misericordiæ tuæ Domine, et operationis tuæ, quæ a sæculo sunt :
12 He saved me from evil of every kind and preserved me in time of trouble. For this reason I thank him and I praise him; I bless the name of the LORD.	12 quoniam eruis sustinentes te, Domine, et liberas eos de manibus gentium.
13 When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom.	13 Exaltasti super terram habitationem meam, et pro morte defluente deprecatus sum.
14 She came to me in her beauty, and until the end I will cultivate her.	14 Invocavi Dominum patrem Domini mei, ut non derelinquat me in die tribulationis meæ, et in tempore superborum, sine adjutorio.
15 As the blossoms yielded to ripening grapes, the heart's joy, My feet kept to the level path because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.	15 Laudabo nomen tuum assidue, et collaudabo illud in confessione : et exaudita est oratio mea,
16 In the short time I paid heed, I met with great instruction.	16 et liberasti me de perditione, et eripuisti me de tempore iniquo.
17 Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise.	17 Propterea confitebor, et laudem dicam tibi, et benedicam nomini Domini.
18 I became resolutely devoted to her-- the good I persistently strove for.	18 Cum adhuc junior essem, priusquam oberrarem, quæsivi sapientiam palam in oratione mea.
19 I burned with desire for her, never turning back. I became preoccupied with her, never weary of extolling her. My hand opened her gate and I came to know her secrets.	19 Ante templum postulabam pro illis, et usque in novissimis inquiram eam : et effloruit tamquam præcox uva.
20 For her I purified my hands; in cleanness I attained to her. At first acquaintance with her, I gained understanding such that I will never forsake her.	20 Lætatum est cor meum in ea : ambulavit pes meus iter rectum : a juventute mea investigabam eam.
21 My whole being was stirred as I learned about her; therefore I have made her my prize possession.	21 Inclinavi modico aurem meam, et excepi illam.
22 The LORD has granted me my lips as a reward, and my tongue will declare his praises.	22 Multam inveni in meipso sapientiam, et multum profeci in ea.
23 Come aside to me, you untutored, and take up lodging in the house of instruction;	23 Danti mihi sapientiam dabo gloriam :
24 How long will you be deprived of wisdom's food, how long will you endure such bitter thirst?	24 consiliatus sum enim ut facerem illam. Zelatus sum bonum, et non confundar.
25 I open my mouth and speak of her: gain, at no cost, wisdom for yourselves.	25 Colluctata est anima mea in illa, et in faciendo eam confirmatus sum.
26 Submit your neck to her yoke, that your mind may accept her teaching. For she is close to those who seek her, and the one who is in earnest finds her.	26 Manus meas extendi in altum, et insipientiam ejus luxi ;
27 See for yourselves! I have labored only a little, but have found much.	27 animam meam direxi ad illam, et in agnitione inveni eam.
28 Acquire but a little instruction; you will win silver and gold through her.	28 Possedi cum ipsa cor ab initio : propter hoc, non derelinquar.
29 Let your spirits rejoice in the mercy of God, and be not ashamed to give him praise.	29 Venter meus conturbatus est quærendo illam : propterea bonam possidebo possessionem.
30 Work at your tasks in due season, and in his own time God will give you your reward.	30 Dedit mihi Dominus linguam mercedem meam, et in ipsa laudabo eum.
	31 Appropiate ad me, indocti, et congregate vos in domum disciplinæ.
	32 Quid adhuc retardatis ? et quid dicitis in his ? animæ vestræ sitiunt vehementer.
	33 Aperui os meum, et locutus sum : Comparate vobis sine argento,
	34 et collum vestrum subjicite jugo : et suscipiat anima vestra disciplinam : in proximo est enim invenire eam.
	35 Videte oculis vestris, quia modicum laboravi, et inveni mihi multam requiem.
	36 Assumite disciplinam in multo numero argenti, et copiosum aurum possidete in ea.
	37 Lætetur anima vestra in misericordia ejus, et non confundemini in laude ipsius.
	38 Operamini opus vestrum ante tempus, et dabit vobis mercedem vestram in tempore suo.