Ecclesiasticus 51

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Oratio Jesu 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 adjutor 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 linguæ iniquæ, et a labiis operantium mendacium : et in conspectu astantium factus es mihi adjutor.	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 multitudinem misericordiæ nominis tui, a rugientibus præparatis ad escam :	4 from flames that hemmed me in on every side; From the midst of unremitting fire,
5 de manibus quærentium animam meam, et de portis tribulationum quæ circumdederunt me ;	5 From the deep belly of the nether world; From deceiving lips and painters of lies,
6 a pressura flammæ quæ circumdedit me, et in medio ignis non sum æstuatus ;	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 rege iniquo, et a lingua injusta.	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 Laudabit usque ad mortem anima mea Dominum,	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 adjuvaret : respiciens eram ad adjutorium 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 sum misericordiæ tuæ Domine, et operationis tuæ, quæ a sæculo sunt :	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 gentium.	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 Exaltasti super terram habitationem meam, et pro morte defluente deprecatus sum.	13 When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom.
14 Invocavi Dominum patrem Domini mei, ut non derelinquat me in die tribulationis meæ, et in tempore superborum, sine adjutorio.	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 junior essem, priusquam oberrarem, quæsivi sapientiam palam in oratione mea.	18 I became resolutely devoted to her-- the good I persistently strove for.
19 Ante templum postulabam pro illis, et usque in novissimis inquiram eam : et effloruit tamquam præcox 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 Lætatum est cor meum in ea : ambulavit pes meus iter rectum : a juventute 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 modico 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 Multam inveni in meipso 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. Zelatus sum 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 eam confirmatus sum.	25 I open my mouth and speak of her: gain, at no cost, wisdom for yourselves.
26 Manus meas extendi in altum, et insipientiam ejus luxi ;	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 agnitione 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 quærendo illam : propterea bonam possidebo 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 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.