Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 51

51:1

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, O King,

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51:2

for you have been my protector and helper,

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51:3

and delivered me, according to the abundance of your mercy and of your name,

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51:4

from the choking of a fire on every side,

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51:5

out of the depth of the belly of Hades,

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51:6

the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king.

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51:7

They surrounded me on every side.

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51:8

Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,

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51:9

I lifted up my prayer from the earth,

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51:10

I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord,

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51:11

I will praise your name continually.

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51:12

You saved me from destruction

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51:13

When I was yet young,

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51:14

Before the temple I asked for her.

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51:15

From the first flower to the ripening grape my heart delighted in her.

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51:16

I inclined my ear a little, and received her,

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51:17

I profited in her.

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51:18

For I determined to practise her.

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51:19

My soul has wrestled with her.

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51:20

I directed my soul to her.

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51:21

My belly also was troubled to seek her.

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51:22

The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward.

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51:23

Draw near to me, all you who are uneducated,

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51:24

Why therefore are you all lacking in these things,

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51:25

I opened my mouth and spoke,

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51:26

Put your neck under the yoke,

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51:27

See with your eyes

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51:28

Get instruction with a great sum of silver,

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51:29

May your soul rejoice in his mercy,

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51:30

Work your work before the time comes,

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