The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 51

1I will give thanks to you, O Lord, O King, 2For you were my protector and helper, 3And did deliver me, according to the abundance of your mercy, and greatness of your name, of teeth ready to devour, 4From the choking of a fire on every side, 5Out of the depth of the belly of the grave, Gr. Hades. 6The slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king. the grave beneath. Gr. Hades 7They compassed me on every side, me. I was looking for the succour of men, 8And I remembered your mercy, O Lord, 9And I lifted up my supplication from the earth, 10I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, 11I will praise your name continually, 12For you saved me from destruction, 13When I was yet young, 14Before the temple I asked for her, 15From her flower as from the ripening grape my heart delighted in her: 16I bowed down my ear a little, and received her, 17I profited in her: 18For I purposed to practice her, 19My soul has wrestled in her, 20I set my soul aright to her, joined with her from the beginning: 21My inward part also was troubled to seek her: 22The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward; 23Draw near to me, you⌃ unlearned, 24Say, wherefore are you⌃ lacking in these things, 25I opened my mouth, and spoke, 26Put your neck under the yoke, 27Behold with your eyes, 28Get you instruction with a great sum of silver, 29May your soul rejoice in his mercy, 30Work your work before the time comes,