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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 51

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

2 for you have been my protector and helper,

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

4 from the choking of a fire on every side,

5 out of the depth of the belly of Hades,

6 the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king.

7 They surrounded me on every side.

8 Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,

9 I lifted up my prayer from the earth,

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

11 I will praise your name continually.

12 You saved me from destruction

13 When I was yet young,

14 Before the temple I asked for her.

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

16 I inclined my ear a little, and received her,

17 I profited in her.

18 For I determined to practise her.

19 My soul has wrestled with her.

20 I directed my soul to her.

21 My belly also was troubled to seek her.

22 The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward.

23 Draw near to me, all you who are uneducated,

24 Why therefore are you all lacking in these things,

25 I opened my mouth and spoke,

26 Put your neck under the yoke,

27 See with your eyes

28 Get instruction with a great sum of silver,

29 May your soul rejoice in his mercy,

30 Work your work before the time comes,