Autobiographical Poem on Wisdom

Sirach 51

⁴ from choking fire on every side,
and from the midst of fire that I had not kindled,
⁵ from the deep belly of Hades,
from an unclean tongue and lying words--
⁶ the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king.
My soul drew near to death,
and my life was on the brink of Hades below.
⁷ They surrounded me on every side,
and there was no one to help me;
I looked for human assistance,
and there was none.
⁸ Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,
and your kindness ₁ from of old,
for you rescue those who wait for you
and save them from the hand of their enemies.
⁹ And I sent up my prayer from the earth,
and begged for rescue from death.
¹⁰ I cried out, "Lord, you are my Father; ₂
do not forsake me in the days of trouble,
when there is no help against the proud.
¹¹ I will praise your name continually,
and will sing hymns of thanksgiving."
My prayer was heard,

Heb adds:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the God of praises,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the guardian of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who formed all things,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the shield of Abraham,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the rock of Isaac,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his loyal ones.

For the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Praise the Lord!

¹² for you saved me from destruction
and rescued me in time of trouble.
For this reason I thank you and praise you,
and I bless the name of the Lord.