1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, O King, and will praise you, O God my Savior. I give thanks to your name, (WEB) 2 for you have been my protector and helper, and delivered my body out of destruction, and out of the snare of a slanderous tongue, from lips that fabricate lies. You were my helper before those who stood by, (WEB) 3 and delivered me, according to the abundance of your mercy and of your name, from the gnashings of teeth ready to devour, out of the hand of those seeking my life, out of the many afflictions I endured, (WEB) 4 from the choking of a fire on every side, and out of the midst of fire that I hadn’t kindled, (WEB) 5 out of the depth of the belly of Hades, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words— (WEB) 6 the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king. My soul drew near to death. My life was near to Hades. (WEB) 7 They surrounded me on every side. There was no one to help me. I was looking for human help, and there was none. (WEB) 8 Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord, and your working which has been from everlasting, how you deliver those who wait for you, and save them out of the hand of their enemies. (WEB) 9 I lifted up my prayer from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death. (WEB) 10 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not forsake me in the days of affliction, in the time when there was no help against the proud. (WEB) 11 I will praise your name continually. I will sing praise with thanksgiving. My prayer was heard. (WEB) 12 You saved me from destruction and delivered me from the evil time. Therefore I will give thanks and praise to you, and bless the name of the Lord. (WEB) 13 When I was yet young, before I went abroad, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer. (WEB) 14 Before the temple I asked for her. I will seek her out even to the end. (WEB) 15 From the first flower to the ripening grape my heart delighted in her. My foot walked in uprightness. From my youth I followed her steps. (WEB) 16 I inclined my ear a little, and received her, and found for myself much instruction. (WEB) 17 I profited in her. I will give glory to him who gives me wisdom. (WEB) 18 For I determined to practice her. I was zealous for that which is good. I will never be put to shame. (WEB) 19 My soul has wrestled with her. In my conduct I was exact. I spread out my hands to the sky above, and bewailed my ignorances of her. (WEB) 20 I directed my soul to her. In purity I found her. I got myself a heart joined with her from the beginning. Therefore I won’t be forsaken. (WEB) 21 My belly also was troubled to seek her. Therefore I have gained a good possession. (WEB) 22 The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward. I will praise him with it. (WEB) 23 Draw near to me, all you who are uneducated, and live in the house of instruction. (WEB) 24 Why… (WEB) 25 … (WEB)
Sirach 51:1–30
Semantically similar passages
Odes of Solomon 25:1–2
1 I was rescued from my bonds and unto thee, my God, I fled: (ODE) 2 For thou art the right hand of my Salvation and my helper. (ODE)
Psalms 66:19–20
19 But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld from me His loving devotion!
Odes of Solomon 21:4–6
4 And increasingly helpful to me was the thought of the Lord, and His fellowship in incorruption: (ODE) 5 And I was lifted up in His light; and I served before Him, (ODE) 6 And I became near to Him, praising and confessing Him; (ODE)
Psalms of Solomon 5:1–3
1 O Lord God, I will praise Thy name with joy, In the midst of them that know Thy righteous judgements. (PSS) 2 For Thou art good and merciful, the refuge of the poor; When I cry to Thee, do not silently disregard me. (PSS) 3 For no man taketh spoil from a mighty man; Who, then,… (PSS)
Jeremiah 17:15–17
15 Behold, they keep saying to me, “Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come now!” 16 But I have not run away from being Your shepherd; I have not desired the day of despair. You know that the utterance of my lips was spoken in Your presence. 17 Do not become a terror…
2 Baruch 48:43–44
43 For all this multitude are going to corruption, Nor is there any numbering of those whom the fire devours. (2BA) 44 But again I will speak in Thy presence. Thou, O LORD, my Lord, knowest what is in Thy (2BA)
Psalms 116:7–9
7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
2 Baruch 38:1–2
1 And I prayed and said: 'O LORD, my Lord, Thou dost always enlighten those who are led by (2BA) 2 understanding. Thy law is life, and Thy wisdom is right guidance. Make known to me therefore (2BA)
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources