Ecclesiasticus 51

VULGATA	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Oratio Jesu filii Sirach. Confitebor tibi, Domine rex, et collaudabo te Deum salvatorem meum.	1 Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.
2 Confitebor nomini tuo, quoniam adjutor et protector factus es mihi,	2 By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.
3 et liberasti corpus meum a perditione : a laqueo linguæ iniquæ, et a labiis operantium mendacium : et in conspectu astantium factus es mihi adjutor.	3 In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.
4 Et liberasti me, secundum multitudinem misericordiæ nominis tui, a rugientibus præparatis ad escam :	4 He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.
5 de manibus quærentium animam meam, et de portis tribulationum quæ circumdederunt me ;	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.
6 a pressura flammæ quæ circumdedit me, et in medio ignis non sum æstuatus ;	6 He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.
7 de altitudine ventris inferi, et a lingua coinquinata, et a verbo mendacii, a rege iniquo, et a lingua injusta.	7 And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.
8 Laudabit usque ad mortem anima mea Dominum,	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.
9 et vita mea appropinquans erat in inferno deorsum.	9 As a bright Are, and frankincense burning in the fire.
10 Circumdederunt me undique, et non erat qui adjuvaret : respiciens eram ad adjutorium hominum, et non erat.	10 As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.
11 Memoratus sum misericordiæ tuæ Domine, et operationis tuæ, quæ a sæculo sunt :	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.
12 quoniam eruis sustinentes te, Domine, et liberas eos de manibus gentium.	12 When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.
13 Exaltasti super terram habitationem meam, et pro morte defluente deprecatus sum.	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,
14 Invocavi Dominum patrem Domini mei, ut non derelinquat me in die tribulationis meæ, et in tempore superborum, sine adjutorio.	14 And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.
15 Laudabo nomen tuum assidue, et collaudabo illud in confessione : et exaudita est oratio mea,	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,
16 et liberasti me de perditione, et eripuisti me de tempore iniquo.	16 He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.
17 Propterea confitebor, et laudem dicam tibi, et benedicam nomini Domini.	17 He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.
18 Cum adhuc junior essem, priusquam oberrarem, quæsivi sapientiam palam in oratione mea.	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.
19 Ante templum postulabam pro illis, et usque in novissimis inquiram eam : et effloruit tamquam præcox uva.	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.
20 Lætatum est cor meum in ea : ambulavit pes meus iter rectum : a juventute mea investigabam eam.	20 And the singers lifted up their voices. and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.
21 Inclinavi modico aurem meam, et excepi illam.	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.
22 Multam inveni in meipso sapientiam, et multum profeci in ea.	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:
23 Danti mihi sapientiam dabo gloriam :	23 And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.
24 consiliatus sum enim ut facerem illam. Zelatus sum bonum, et non confundar.	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.
25 Colluctata est anima mea in illa, et in faciendo eam confirmatus sum.	25 May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:
26 Manus meas extendi in altum, et insipientiam ejus luxi ;	26 That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
27 animam meam direxi ad illam, et in agnitione inveni eam.	27 There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation, which I hate:
28 Possedi cum ipsa cor ab initio : propter hoc, non derelinquar.	28 They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
29 Venter meus conturbatus est quærendo illam : propterea bonam possidebo possessionem.	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.
30 Dedit mihi Dominus linguam mercedem meam, et in ipsa laudabo eum.	30 Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things: and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.
31 Appropiate ad me, indocti, et congregate vos in domum disciplinæ.	31 For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.
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.