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. 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. 50:28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise. 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.] 51:1 I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour: I do give praise unto thy name: 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: 51:3 And hast delivered me, according to the multitude of thy 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; 51:4 From the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of the fire which I kindled not; 51:5 From the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words. 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. 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. 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. 51:9 Then lifted I up my supplications from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death. 51:10 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help. 51:11 I will praise thy name continually, and will sing praises with thanksgiving; and so my prayer was heard: 51:12 For thou savedst me from destruction, and deliveredst me from the evil time: therefore will I give thanks, and praise thee, and bless thy name, O Lord. 51:13 When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I desired wisdom openly in my prayer. 51:14 I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek her out even to the end. 51:15 Even from the flower till the grape was ripe hath my heart delighted in her: my foot went the right way, from my youth up sought I after her. 51:16 I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her, and gat much learning. 51:17 I profited therein, therefore will I ascribe glory unto him that giveth me wisdom. 51:18 For I purposed to do after her, and earnestly I followed that which is good; so shall I not be confounded.