1 The prayer of Jesus, the son of Sirach: I will confess to you, O Lord and King, and I will give praise to you, O God my Saviour 2 I will acknowledge your name. For you have been my Helper and Protector 3 And you have freed my body from perdition, from the snare of the iniquitous tongue, and from the lips of those who forge lies. And you have been my Helper in the sight of those who stood nearby 4 And you have freed me according to the multitude of the mercy of your name: from those who roared and prepared to devour 5 from the hands of those who sought my life, and from the gates of tribulation that surrounded me 6 from the oppression of the flames that surrounded me, and so I was not burned in the midst of the fire 7 from the depths of the bowels of hell, and from the defiled tongue, and from lying words, from an iniquitous king, and from an unjust tongue 8 My soul shall praise the Lord, even unto death 9 For my life was drawing near to hell below 10 And they surrounded me on every side. And there was no one who would help me. I looked around for the assistance of men, and there was none 11 Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord, and your works, which are from the very beginning 12 For you rescue those who persevere for you, O Lord, and you free them from the hands of the Gentiles 13 You exalted my habitation upon the earth, and I made supplication that death would pass away 14 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, so that he would not abandon me in the day of my tribulation, nor in the time of arrogance without assistance 15 I will praise your name unceasingly, and I will praise it with thanksgiving, for my prayer was heeded 16 And you freed me from perdition, and you rescued me from the time of iniquity 17 Because of this, I will give thanks and praise to you, and I will bless the name of the Lord 18 When I was still young, before I wandered astray, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer 19 I asked for her before the temple, and even to the very end, I will inquire after her. And she flourished like a newly-ripened grape 20 My heart rejoiced in her. My feet walked in the right path. From my youth, I pursued her 21 I bent my ear a little and accepted her 22 I found much wisdom within myself, and I benefited greatly by her 23 I will give glory to him who gives wisdom to me 24 For I have decided that I should act according to wisdom. I have been zealous for what is good, and so I will not be confounded 25 My soul has struggled for wisdom, and in doing so, I have been confirmed 26 I extended my hands on high, and I mourned my ignorance of her 27 I directed my soul toward her, and I found her within knowledge 28 From the beginning, I held my heart to wisdom. Because of this, I will not be forsaken 29 My stomach was stirred up while seeking her. Because of her, I will hold a good possession 30 The Lord has given me a tongue as my reward, and I will praise him with it 31 Draw near to me, you who are untaught, and gather yourselves into the house of discipline 32 Why are you reluctant? And what do you have to say about these things? Your souls are exceedingly thirsty 33 I have opened my mouth, and I have spoken. Buy wisdom for yourselves without silver 34 and subject your neck to her yoke, and let your soul accept her discipline. For she is close enough to be found 35 See with your own eyes how I have labored only a little, and have found much rest for myself 36 Take up discipline, as if it were a great sum of money, and possess an abundance of gold in her 37 Let your soul rejoice in his mercy. For you will not be confounded by his praise 38 Accomplish your work before the time. And he will give you your reward in his time
