wondrous
things every where, which exalteth our days from the womb, and
dealeth with us according to his mercy.

Sir 50:23
He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our
days in Israel for ever:

Sir 50:24
That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!

Sir 50:25
There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and
the third is no nation:

Sir 50:26
They that sit upon the mountain of Samaria, and they that dwell among
the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem.

Sir 50:27
Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem hath written in this book the
instruction of understanding and knowledge, who out of his heart
poured forth wisdom.

Sir 50:28
Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he
that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.

Sir 50:29
For if he do them, he shall be strong to all things: for the
light of the Lord leadeth him, who giveth wisdom to the godly.
Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. Amen, Amen.

[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 Lo