Sirach 23:1–6

O Lord, Father and Governor of all my whole life,

Leave me not to their counsels,

And let me not fall by them.

2  Who will set scourges over my thoughts,

And the discipline of wisdom over mine heart?

That they spare me not for mine aignorances,

And it pass not by my sins:

3  Lest mine aignorances increase,

And my sins abound to my destruction,

And I fall before mine adversaries,

And mine enemy rejoice over me,

Whose hope is far from thy mercy.

4  O Lord, Father and God of my life,

Give me not ba proud look,

But turn away from thy servants always a * haughty mind.

5  Turn away from me vain hopes and concupiscence,

And thou shalt hold him up that is desirous always to serve thee.

6  Let not the greediness of the belly nor lust of the flesh take hold of me;

And give not over me thy servant into an impudent mind.