Chapters

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24
  25. 25
  26. 26
  27. 27
  28. 28
  29. 29
  30. 30
  31. 31
  32. 32
  33. 33
  34. 34
  35. 35
  36. 36
  37. 37
  38. 38
  39. 39
  40. 40
  41. 41
  42. 42
  43. 43
  44. 44
  45. 45
  46. 46
  47. 47
  48. 48
  49. 49
  50. 50
  51. 51

Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 51 Common English Bible (CEB)

Prayer of Jesus, Sirach’s son

1. I will give thanks to you,Lord and King,and I will praise you, God my savior.I give thanks to your name,

2. because you have beenmy protector and helper.You have rescued my bodyfrom destruction,from the trap setby a slanderous tongue,from lips that fabricate lies.In the presence of those who stood around me,

3. you were my helper.In line with your abundant mercyand your great name,you rescued me from grinding teeth prepared to devour me,from the power of thosewho wanted to take my life,from the many troubles that I have had,

4. from choking fire all around me,from the midst of a firethat I didn’t start,

5. from the depths of the bellyof the grave,and from a polluted tongueand lying words,

6. as well as the arrowliketongue of the unrighteous.My soul approached death,and my life was on the edge of the grave below.

7. People surrounded me on every side,and no one helped;I looked for assistance from human beings, and there was none.

8. Then I remembered your mercy, Lord,and your charity from long ago,that you raise up those who wait for youand save them from the handsof the wicked.

9. I sent up my prayer from the earth,and I begged to be rescued from death.

10. I called out to the Lord,the father of my master:"Don’t desert me in the timeof my distress,when I am helpless before the arrogant.

11. I will praise your name continually,and I will sing thanksgiving hymns."My prayer was heard,

12. because you saved me from destructionand you rescued me from an evil time.For this, I will give thanks, praise you,and bless the Lord’s name.

Search for Wisdom

13. When I was still young,before I had traveled,I sought Wisdom openly in my prayer.

14. In front of the temple, I asked for her,and I will search for her until I die.

15. From the first blossomto the ripening of the grape clusters,my heart delighted in her;I walked in straight paths;I chased her down from my youth.

16. I paid a little attention, and I received herand found much instruction for myself.

17. I made progress with her;I will give glory to the onewho gives me Wisdom.

18. I made up my mindto put Wisdom into practice;I sought the good,and I will never be ashamed.

19. My whole being grappled with her,and I was brought to perfectionin my performance of the Law.I spread out my handstoward heaven,and I kept in mindmy ignorance of her.

20. I directed my whole being toward her,and in purity I found her.I had a heart for herfrom the beginning.For this reasonI will never be abandoned.

21. My guts were stirred to seek her;for this reason I gaineda desired possession.

22. The Lord gave me the powerto speak well, as my reward,and I will praise him with it.

23. Draw near to me,you who lack education,and stay in my school.

24. Why are you still lacking in these things;why do you thirst for this?

25. I opened my mouth and said,"Acquire her for yourselveswithout money.

26. Place your neck under her yoke,and let your soulreceive instruction.It is found close at hand."

27. See for yourselves that I have laboreda little,and I have found much rest for myself.

28. Invest in your educationwith a great amount of silver,and with it you will acquire much gold.

29. May your whole being take delightin God’s mercy,and may you never be ashamedwhen you praise him.

30. Accomplish your work in good time,and he will give you your rewardin his time.