21. And they bowed down to worshipa second time,to receive the blessingfrom the Most High.
22. Now bless the God of allwho everywhere does great things,who raises us up from our birthand deals mercifully with us.
23. May he give us gladness in our hearts,and may there be peace in our time,in Israel as in times past.
24. May he grant us his mercy,and may he rescue us in our lifetime.
25. My spirit takes offense at two nations,and the third is not even a nation:
26. those who settled on Samaria’s hills,the Philistines,and the foolish peoplewho dwell in Shechem.
27. Instruction in understandingand knowledgewere inscribed in this scrollby Jesus, Sirach’s son and grandsonof Eleazar the Jerusalemite.He poured forth wisdom from his heart.
28. Favored are those who devote their timeto these things;when they take them to heart,they will be wise.
29. Indeed, if they do these things,they will be up to any task,because the fear of the Lordis their path.