Siracide 51

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Oratio Iesu filii Sirach. “ Confitebor tibi, Domine rex; et collaudabo te Deum salvatorem meum.	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;
2 Confitebor nomini tuo, quoniam adiutor et protector factus es mihi	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;
3 et liberasti corpus meum a perditione, a laqueo linguae iniquae et a labiis operantium mendacium, et in conspectu insurgentium factus es mihi adiutor.	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,
4 Et liberasti me, secundum magnitudinem misericordiae et nominis tui, a laqueis praeparatis ad escam,	4 from flames that hemmed me in on every side; From the midst of unremitting fire,
5 de manibus quaerentium animam meam et de multis tribulationibus, quae circumdederunt me,	5 From the deep belly of the nether world; From deceiving lips and painters of lies,
6 a pressura flammae, quae circumdedit me, et de medio ignis, ubi non sum aestuatus;	6 from the arrows of dishonest tongues. I was at the point of death, my soul was nearing the depths of the nether world;
7 de altitudine ventris inferi et a lingua coinquinata et a verbo mendacii, a iaculo linguae iniustae.	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.
8 Appropinquavit usque ad mortem anima mea,	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.
9 et vita mea appropinquans erat in inferno deorsum.	9 So I raised my voice from the very earth, from the gates of the nether world, my cry.
10 Circumdederunt me undique, et non erat qui adiuvaret; respiciens eram ad adiutorium hominum, et non erat.	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.
11 Memoratus autem sum misericordiae tuae, Domine, et operationis tuae, quae a saeculo est,	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;
12 quoniam eruis sustinentes te, Domine, et liberas eos de manibus iniquorum.	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.
13 Exaltavi de terra supplicationem meam et pro morte defluente deprecatus sum.	13 When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom.
14 Invocavi Dominum: “Pater meus es tu, ne derelinquas me in die tribulationis meae et in tempore superborum sine adiutorio.	14 She came to me in her beauty, and until the end I will cultivate her.
15 Laudabo nomen tuum assidue et collaudabo illud in confessione”. Et exaudita est oratio mea.	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.
16 Et liberasti me de perditione et eripuisti me de tempore iniquo.	16 In the short time I paid heed, I met with great instruction.
17 Propterea confitebor et laudem dicam tibi et benedicam nomini Domini.	17 Since in this way I have profited, I will give my teacher grateful praise.
18 Cum adhuc iunior essem, priusquam oberrarem, quaesivi sapientiam palam in oratione mea;	18 I became resolutely devoted to her-- the good I persistently strove for.
19 ante templum postulabam pro illa et usque in novissimis inquiram eam, et effloruit tamquam praecox uva.	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.
20 Laetatum est cor meum in ea, ambulavit pes meus iter rectum; a iuventute mea investigabam eam.	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.
21 Inclinavi modice aurem meam et excepi illam	21 My whole being was stirred as I learned about her; therefore I have made her my prize possession.
22 et multam inveni mihimetipsi sapientiam et multum profeci in ea:	22 The LORD has granted me my lips as a reward, and my tongue will declare his praises.
23 danti mihi sapientiam dabo gloriam.	23 Come aside to me, you untutored, and take up lodging in the house of instruction;
24 Consiliatus sum enim, ut facerem illam; et quaesivi bonum et non confundar.	24 How long will you be deprived of wisdom's food, how long will you endure such bitter thirst?
25 Colluctata est anima mea in illa, et in faciendo legem diligens fui.	25 I open my mouth and speak of her: gain, at no cost, wisdom for yourselves.
26 Manus meas extendi in altum et incognoscibilia eius intellexi.	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.
27 Animam meam direxi ad illam et in purificatione inveni eam.	27 See for yourselves! I have labored only a little, but have found much.
28 Possedi cum ipsa cor ab initio; propter hoc non derelinquar.	28 Acquire but a little instruction; you will win silver and gold through her.
29 Venter meus conturbatus est quaerendo illam; propterea bonam possedi possessionem.	29 Let your spirits rejoice in the mercy of God, and be not ashamed to give him praise.
30 Dedit mihi Dominus linguam mercedem meam, et in ipsa laudabo eum.	30 Work at your tasks in due season, and in his own time God will give you your reward.
31 Appropiate ad me, indocti, et congregate vos in domo disciplinae.
32 Quid adhuc retardatis in his, dum animae vestrae sitiunt vehementer?
33 Aperui os meum et locutus sum: “Comparate vobis sine argento
34 et collum vestrum subicite iugo, 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 Laetetur anima vestra in misericordia eius, et non confundemini in laude ipsius.
38 Operamini opus vestrum ante tempus, et dabit vobis mercedem vestram in tempore suo” ”.