A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord and King, and praise God my Saviour.

I will give thanks unto Thy Name: for Thou wert my helper and my defender.

And hast redeemed my body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies; and wert my helper against mine adversaries: yea, I opened my mouth, and spoke without silver.

And Thou redeemedst me according to the multitude of Thy mercies and Thy Name from the roaring of them that were ready to devour me.

From the hands of those that sought my life, and from my manifold afflictions.

From the choking of the flame that compassed me about, and from the midst of the fire that burned not.

From the depth of the belly of hell, and from the polluted tongue, and from the word of lying, and the slander of a prince: my soul drew near unto death,

And my life drew nigh unto the depth of Sheol.

I was compassed on every side, and there was none to help me: I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.

Then remembered I Thy mercy, O Lord, and Thy work from the beginning of the world,

How Thou deliverest those that wait for Thee, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.

And I lifted up my prayer from the earth, and made supplication for deliverance from death.

I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that He would not forsake me in the day of distress, and in the time of the proud, when there is no help.

I will praise Thy Name continually, and will sing praise with thanksgiving; because my prayer is heard.

For Thou hast delivered me from destruction, and saved me from the evil time.

Therefore will I give thanks, and praise Thee, and bless the Name of the Lord.

When I was yet young, or ever I went astray, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.

Before the temple I prayed for her, and will seek her out even to the end; and she flourished as a grape ripe from the beginning.

My heart rejoiced in her, and my foot walked in uprightness: from my youth I followed after her.

I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her.

And got much instruction for myself, and profited greatly therein.

He that giveth me wisdom shall give me praise.

For I purposed to do after her: I have zealously sought that which is good, and I shall not be ashamed.

I have wrestled with my soul for her, and in my works I ceased not to be attentive.

I stretched out my hands to heaven above, and bemoaned my ignorances.

I directed my soul unto her, and I found her by purification.

With her I possessed my heart from the beginning: therefore shall I not be forsaken.

My belly was troubled in the quest for her: therefore have I gotten a good possession.

The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward, and I will praise Him therewith.

Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house of instruction.

Why are ye slack concerning these things, and your souls are very thirsty?

Put your necks under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction: for she is nigh at hand to find.

Behold with your eyes, how that I have had but small labour, and acquired for myself much rest.

Get instruction with a great sum of silver, and gain much gold by her.

Let your soul rejoice in His mercy; and be not ashamed of His praise.

Work your work betimes, and in His time He will give you your reward.