Sirach 51:1–12

1 q a bI will thank Thee, cJahveh, O King,c

dI will praise Thee, O God eof my salvatione d a,

I will declare Thy Namef, g (Thou) strength of my lifeg;

2 hFor Thou hast redeemed my soul from deathh,

iThou didst keep back my flesh from the Piti,

kAnd from the power of Sheol Thou didst deliver my footk;

lThou didst preserve mem from the scourge of a slanderous tongue,

And from the lips nof them that turn aside to liesn l;

oThou wast pon my sidep o in the face of those that rose up against me;

3 qThou didst help me, according to the abundance of Thy mercy,

Out of the snare rof those that watch for my stumblingr,

And from the hand of those that seek my life;

From manifold troubles didst Thou save meq,

H B 4 And from the straits of the flame round about (me),

s tFrom the midst of the fire that I kindled nott,

5 uFrom the deep of the belly of Sheolu s,

vFrom the lips of wickedness, and from the framers of liesv,

6 xAnd the arrowsx of a deceitful tongue.

My soul drew nighy unto death,

And my lifez to the nethermosta Sheolb.

7 cAnd I turned about on every sidec, dyer there was none to help mee d,

eeAnd I looked for one to upholdee, but there was none.

8 Then did I remember fthe loving-kindnesses of Jahvehf,

And gHis merciesg which have been from of old,

hWho delivereth them that trust in Himh,

iAnd redeemeth them kfrom all evilk i.

9 And I lifted up my voicel mfrom the earthm,

nAnd cried out for help from the gates of Sheoln.

10 oYea, I criedoo: ‘O Jahvehp, my Father qart Thouq o,

rFor Thou art the hero of my salvationr;

rrForsake me notrr in the days of trouble,

tIn the day of wasteness and desolationt.

11 I will praise Thy Name continually,

uAnd will sing Thy praiseu in prayerv.’

H B vvThen did Jahveh hear my voicevv,

And gave heed to my supplication;

12 wAnd He redeemed me from all evilw

xAnd delivered mex yin the day of troubley.

Therefore will I give and offer praisez,

And bless zzthe Name of Jahvehzz:—

(b) 121–16 (Extant only in Hebrew): A Thanksgiving

(= 1 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 3 distichs).

i. Give thanks unto Jahveh, for He is good;