e the Lord their God, and to pray to the
Almighty God the most High.

50:20. And the singers lifted up their voices, and in the great house
the sound of sweet melody was increased.

50:21. And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until
the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their
office.

50:22. Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the
congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his
lips, and to glory in his name:

50:23. And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.

50:24. And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in
all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and
hath done with us according to his mercy.

50:25. May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in
our days in Israel for ever:

50:26. That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to
deliver us in his days.

50:27. There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is
no nation: which I hate:

Abhorreth... Viz., with a holy indignation, as enemies of God and
persecutors of his people. Such were then the Edomites who abode in
mount Seir, the Philistines, and the Samaritans who dwelt in Sichem, and
had their schismatical temple in that neighbourhood.

50:28. They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish
people that dwell in Sichem.

50:29. Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book
the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his
heart.

50:30. Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that
layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.

50:31. For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because
the light of God guideth his steps.

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 51

A prayer of praise and thanksgiving.

51:1. A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O
Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour.

51:2. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and
protector to me.

51:3. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an
unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the
sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper.

51:4. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the
mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.

51:5. Out of the hands of them that soug