[A Prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach.] 

Sir 51:1 

I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my 

Saviour: I do give praise unto thy name: 

Sir 51:2 

For thou art my defender and helper, and has preserved my 

body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous 

tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and has been mine 

helper against mine adversaries: 

Sir 51:3 

And hast delivered me, according to the multitude of they 

mercies and greatness of thy name, from the teeth of them that 

were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of such as sought 

after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had; 

Sir 51:4 

From the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of 

the fire which I kindled not; 

Sir 51:5 

From the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, 

and from lying words. 

Sir 51:6 

By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue my 

soul drew near even unto death, my life was near to the hell 

beneath. 

Sir 51:7 

They compassed me on every side, and there was no man to help 

me: I looked for the succour of men, but there was none. 

Sir 51:8 

Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of 

old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them 

out of the hands of the enemies. 

Sir 51:9 

Then lifted I up my supplications from the earth, and prayed 

for deliverance from death. 

Sir 51:10 

I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would 

not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the 

proud, when there was no help. 

Sir 51:11 

I will praise thy name continually, and will sing praises 

with thanksgiving; and so my prayer was heard: 

Sir 51:12 

For thou savedst me from destruction, and deliveredst me from 

the evil time: therefore will I give thanks, and praise thee, 

and bless they name, O Lord. 

Sir 51:13 

When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I desired wisdom 

openly in my prayer. 

Sir 51:14 

I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek her out 

even to the end. 

Sir 51:15 

Even from the flower till the grape was ripe hath my heart 

delighted in her: my foot went the right way, from my youth up 

sought I after her. 

Sir 51:16 

I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her, and gat 

much learning. 

Sir 51:17 

I profited therein, therefore will I ascribe glory unto him 

that giveth me wisdom. 

Sir 51:18 

For I purposed to do after her, and earnestly I followed that 

which is good; so shall I not be confounded. 

Sir 51:19 

My soul hath wrestled with her, and in my doings I was exact: 

I stretched forth my hands to the heaven above, 

and bewailed my ignorances of her. 

Sir 51:20 

I directed my soul unto her, and I found her in pureness: 

I have had my heart joined with her from the beginning, 

therefore shall I not be foresaken. 

Sir 51:21 

My heart was troubled in seeking her: therefore have I gotten 

a good possession. 

Sir 51:22 

The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward, 

and I will praise him therewith. 

Sir 51:23 

Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house of learning. 

Sir 51:24 

Wherefore are ye slow, and what say ye to these things, 

seeing your souls are very thirsty? 

Sir 51:25 

I opened my mouth, and said, Buy her for yourselves without money. 

Sir 51:26 

Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive 

instruction: she is hard at hand to find. 

Sir 51:27 

Behold with your eyes, how that I have but little labour, and 

have gotten unto me much rest. 

Sir 51:28 

Get learning with a great sum of money, and get much gold by her. 

Sir 51:29 

Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and be not ashamed of his praise. 

Sir 51:30 

Work your work betimes, and in his time he will give you your reward.