 chapters 31 through 35 of Ecclesiasticus, Dewey Rheum's version. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 31. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and in grievous sickness makeeth the soul sober. The rich man hath labored in gathering riches together, and when he resteth, he shall be filled with his goods. The poor man hath labored in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor. He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth after corruption shall be filled with it. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been thereruined. Gold is a stumbling block to them that sacrifice to it. Woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish, and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money, nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him, for he hath done wonderful things in his life? Who hath been tried thereby and made perfect? He shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed and hath not transgressed, and could do evil things and hath not done them. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his arms. Art thou set at a great table? Be not the first to open thy mouth upon it. Say not, there are many things which are upon it. Remember that a wicked eye is evil. What is created more wicked than an eye? Therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to shame. Be not hasty in a feast. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbor by thyself. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee. Lest of thou eatest much thou be hated. Leave off first, for manner's sake, and exceed not, lest thou offend. And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink. How sufficient is a little wine for a man well-taught, and in sleeping thou shall not be uneasy with it, and thou shall feel no pain. Watching and collar and gripes are with an intemperate man. Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man. He shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him. And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out and vomit, and it shall refresh thee, and thou shall not bring sickness upon thy body. Hear me, my son, and despise me not, and in the end thou shall find my words. In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true. Challenge not them that love wine, for wine hath destroyed very many. Fire trieth hard iron, so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud. Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men. If thou drink it moderately, thou shall be sober. What is his life, who is diminished with wine? What taketh away life, death? Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk. Wine drunkened with moderation is a joy of the soul and the heart. Sober drinking is health to soul and body. Wine drunkened with excess raises corals and wrath in many ruins. Wine drunkened with excess is bitterness of the soul. The heat of drunkenness is the stumbling block of the fool. Lessening strength and causing wounds. Rebuke not thy neighbor in a banquet of wine, and despise him not in his mirth. Speak not to him words of reproach, and press him not in demanding again. Chapter 32 Have they made thee a ruler? Be not lifted up. Be among them as one of them. Have care of them, and so sit down. And when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place. That thou mayest rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honor of the contribution. Speak thou that art elder, for it become a thee. To speak the first word with careful knowledge, and hinder not music. Where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and be not lifted up out of season with thy wisdom. A concert of music in a banquet of wine is a carbuncle set in gold. As a signant of an emerald in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine. Hear in silence, for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee. Young man, scarcely speak in thine own cause. If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short. And many things be as if thou were ignorant. And hear in silence and with all seeking. In the company of great men, take not upon thee. And when the ancients are present, speak not much. Before a storm goeth lightning, and before shame-facedness goeth favor. And for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee. And at the time of rising be not slack, but be first to run home to thy house. And there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime. And do what thou hast in mind, but not in sin or proud speech. For all these things bless the Lord that made thee, and that replenish thee with all his good gifts. He that feareth the Lord will receive his discipline, and they that will seek him early shall find a blessing. He that seeketh the law shall be filled with it, and he that dealeth deceitfully shall meet with a stumbling block therein. They that fear the Lord shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light. A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will. A man of counsel will not neglect understanding. A strange and proud man will not dread fear. Even after he had done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking. My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shall not repent when thou hast done. Do not go in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones. Trust not thyself to a rugged way, least thou set a stumbling block to thy soul. And beware of thine own children, and take care of them of thy household. In every work of thine, regard thysoul in faith, for this is the keeping of the commandments. Ye that believe with God, takeeth he to the commandments, and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse. Chapter 33 No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him and deliver him from evils. A wise man hateeth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in the storm. A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law is faithful to him. Ye that cleareth up a question shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer. The heart of a fool is as a wheel of a cart, and his thoughts are like a rolling ax-tree. A friend that is a mocker is like a stallion horse. He nigheth under everyone that sitteth upon him. Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another, when all come of the sun? By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made and keeping his commandments, and he ordered the seasons and holidays of them, and in them that celebrated festivals at an hour. Some of them God made high in great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days, and all men are from the ground and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created. With much knowledge the Lord had divided them and diversified their ways. Some of them hath he blessed and exalted, and some of them hath he sanctified and set near himself, and some of them hath he cursed and brought low and turned them from their station, as the potter's clay is in his hand to fashion and order it. All his ways are according to his ordering. So man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment. Good is set against evil, and life against death. So also is the sinner against the just man, and so look upon all the works of the most high, two and two, and one against another. And I awaked last of all, and as one that gathereth after the grape gathers. In the blessing of God I have also hoped, and as one that gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress. See that I have not labored for myself only, but for all that seek discipline. Hear me ye great men, and all ye people, and hearken with your ears ye rulers of the church. Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy estate to another, lest thou repent and thou entreat for the same. As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, let no man change thee. For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that thou look toward the hands of thy children. And all thy works keep the preeminence, but no stain sully thy glory, in the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease distribute thy inheritance. Fodder and a wand and a burden are for an ass. Spread in correction and work for a slave. Ye worketh under correction, and seeketh to rest. Let his hands be idle, and he seeketh liberty. The oak and the thong bend a stiff neck, and continual labors bow a slave. Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave. Send him to work that he be not idle, for idleness hath taught much evil. Set him to work, for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive toward anyone, and do no grievous thing without judgment. And if thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul. Treat him as a brother, because in the blood of thy soul, thou has gotten him. And if thou hurt him unjustly, he will run away. And if he rise up and depart, thou knowest not whom to ask, and in what way to seek him? Chapter 34. The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful, and dreams lift up fools. A man that giveth heed to lying visions is like to him that catcheth at his shadow and followeth after the wind. The visions of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man. What can be made clean by the unclean, and what truth can come from that which is false? Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers are vanity. And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail, except that it be a vision sent forth from the most high, set not thy heart upon them. For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them. The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful. What doth he know? What hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience shall think of many things, and he that hath learned many things shall show forth understanding. He that hath no experience knoweth little, and he that hath been experienced in many things multiplyeth prudence. He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? He that hath been surprised shall abound with subtlety. I have seen many things by traveling and many customs of things. Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God. The spirit of those that fear God is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed. For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him. He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid, for he is hope. The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed. To whom doth he look, and who is his strength? The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him. He is their powerful protector, and his strong stay. A defense from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon. A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling. He raises up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing. The offering of him that sacrifice is of a thing wrongfully gotten is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable. The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice. The most high approveeth not the gifts of the wicked. Neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust. Nor will he be pacified for the sins by the multitude of their sacrifices. He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor is as one that sacrifices the son in the presence of his father. The bread of the needy is the life of the poor. He that defraudeth them thereof is a man of blood. He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat is like him that killeth his neighbor. He that shedeth blood, and he that defraudeth the labor of his hire are brothers. When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down, what profit have they but the labor? When one prayeth, and another curses, whose voice will God hear? He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail? So a man that fasteth for his sins and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? Who will hear his prayer? Chapter 35 He that keepeth the law, multiplyeth offerings. It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity, and to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins. He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour, and he that doth mercy offereth sacrifice. To depart from iniquity is that which pleases the Lord, and to depart from injustice is an entreaty for sins. Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord, for all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God. The ablation of the just makeeth the altar fat, and is an odor of sweetness in the sight of the most high. The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof. Give glory to God with a good heart, and diminish not the first fruits of thy hands. In every gift show a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy. Give to the most high according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands. For the Lord makeeth recompense, and will give thee seven times as much. Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive, and look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respective person. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless, nor the widow when she poureth out her complaints. Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall. For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them. Either Doroth God with joy shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds. The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds, until it come nigh he will not be comforted, and he will not depart till the most high behold. And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment, and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their backs, and he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust, till he have rendered to men according to their deeds, and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption, till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy. The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought. End of chapters 31 through 35. Chapters 36 through 40 of Ecclesiasticus, Dewey-Reem's version. The sleeper box recording is in the public domain. Chapter 36. Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and show us the light of thy mercies. And send thy fear upon the nations that have not sought after thee, that they may know that there is no God besides thee, and that they may show forth thy wonders. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations that they may see thy power, for as thou has been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shall be magnified among them in our presence, that they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no other God besides thee, O Lord. Renew thy signs and work new miracles, glorify thy hand and thy right arm. Rise up, indignation, and pour out wrath. Take away the adversary and crush the enemy. He's in the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy wonderful works. Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of fire, and let them perish that oppress thy people. Crush the head of the princes of the enemies that say, there is no other besides us. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob, that they may know that there is no God besides thee, and may declare thy great works, and now shall inherit them as from the beginning. Have mercy upon thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked, and upon Israel, whom thou has raised up to be thy firstborn. Have mercy on Jerusalem, the city which thou has sanctified, the city of thy rest. Fill Zion with thy unspeakable words and thy people with thy glory. Give testimony to them that are thy creatures from the beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in thy name. Reward them that patiently wait for thee. That thy prophets may be found faithful and hear the prayers of thy servants. According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us in the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth that thou art God the beholder of all ages. The belly will devour all meats, yet one is better than another. The palate tasteeth Vincent, and the wise heart falls speeches. A perverse heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will resist it. A woman will receive every man, yet one daughter is better than another. The beauty of a woman shareeth the countenance of her husband, and a man desireeth nothing more. If she can have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and show mercy, her husband is not like other men. He that possesseth a good wife begineth a possession. She is a help like to himself in a pillar of rest. Where there is no hedge, the possession shall be spoiled. And where there is no wife, he mourneth that is in want. Who will trust him that hath no rest, and that lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him? As a robber well appointed, that skipeth from city to city. Chapter 37 Every friend will say, I also am his friend. But there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death? But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy. O wicked presumption, whence cameest thou to cover the earth with thy malice and deceitfulness? There is a companion who adroitheth with his friend in his joys. But in the time of trouble, he will be against him. There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake. And he will take up a shield against the enemy. Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches. Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee. Every counselor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counselor for himself. Beware of a counselor, and know before what need he hath, for he will devise to his own mind. Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee, Thy way is good, and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee. Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks, nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the field laborer of every work, nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business. Give no heed to these in any matter of counsel. But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe the fear of God, whose soul is according to thy own soul, and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee, and establish within thyself a heart of good counsel, for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it. The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen, that sit in a high place to watch. But above all these things pray to the most high that he may direct thy way in truth. And all thy works let the true word go before thee, and study counsel before every action. A wicked word shall change the heart, out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death, and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a man of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul. The skillful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul. He that speaketh sophisticatedly is hateful. He shall be destitute of everything. Grace is not given him from the Lord, for he is deprived of all wisdom. There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is commendable. A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful. A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him. The life of a man is in the number of his days, but the days of Israel are innumerable. A wise man shall inherit honor among his people, and his name shall live forever. My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and if it be wicked give it no power. For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleases not every soul. Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat. For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to color. By surfitting many have perished, but he that is temperate shall prolong life. Chapter 38 Honor the physician for the need thou hast of him, and for the most high hath created him. For all healing is from God, and he shall receive gifts of the king. The skill of the physician shall lift up his head, and in the sights of great men he shall be praised. The most high hath created medicines out of the earth, and a wise man will not abhor them. Was not bitter water made sweet with wood? The virtue of these things is come to the knowledge of men, and the most high hath given knowledge to men that they may be honored in his wonders. By these he shall cure and shall allay their pains, and of these the apothecary shall make sweet confections, and shall make up ointments of health, and of his works there shall be no end. For the peace of God is over all the face of the earth. My son, in thy sickness, neglect not thyself, but pray to the Lord, and he shall heal thee. Turn away from sin, and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence. Give a sweet savior and a memorial of fine flour, and make a fat offering, and then give place to the physician. For the Lord created him, and let him not depart from thee, for his works are necessary. But there is a time when thou must fall into their hands, and they shall beseech the Lord, that he would prosper what they give for ease and remedy for their conversation. He that sineth in the sight of his maker shall fall into the hands of the physician. My son shed tears over the dead, and begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered some great harm. And according to judgment cover his body, and neglect not his burial. And for fear of being ill-spoken of, we bitterly for a day, and then comfort thyself in thy sadness. And making mourning for him according to his merits for a day or two, for fear of detraction. For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength and the sorrow of the heart, boweth down the neck. And with throwing aside sorrow remaineth, and the substance of the poor is according to his heart. Give not up thy heart to sadness, but drive it from thee, and remember the latter end. Forget it not, for there is no returning, and thou shall do him no good, and shall hurt thyself. Remember my judgment, for thine also shall be so, yesterday for me, and today for thee. When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest, and comfort him in the parting of his spirit. The wisdom of his scribe cometh by his time of leisure, and he that is less in action shall receive wisdom. With what wisdom shall he be furnished that holdeth the plow, that glorify in the goad, that driveeth the ox therewith, and is occupied in their labors? And his whole talk is about the offspring of bulls. He shall give his mind to turn up furrows, and his care is to give the kind fodder. So every craftsman and workmaster that laboreth night and day, he who maketh grave and seals, and by his continual diligence varieth the figure. He shall give his mind to the resemblance of the pitcher, and by his watching shall finish the work. So doth the smith, sitting by the anvil and considering the ironwork. The vapor of the fire wasteeth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace. The noise of the hammer is always in his ears, and his eyes upon the pattern of the vessel he maketh. He seteth his mind to finish his work, and his watching to polish them to perfection. So doth the potter, sitting at his work, turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always careful to set his work, and maketh all his work by number. He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his strength before his feet. He shall give his mind to finish the glazing, and his watching to make clean the furnace. All these trusts to their hands, and every one is wise in his own art. Without these a city is not built, and they shall not dwell, nor walk about therein, and they shall not go up into the assembly. Upon the judge's seat they shall not sit, and the ordinance of judgment they shall not understand. Neither shall they declare discipline and judgment, and they shall not be found where parables are spoken, but they shall strengthen the state of the world, and their prayer shall be in the work of their craft. Applying their soul and searching in the law of the Most High. Chapter 39 The wise man will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be occupied in the prophets. He will keep the sayings of renowned men, and will enter with all into the subtleties of parables. He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be conversant in the secrets of parables. He shall serve among great men, and appear before the governor. He shall pass into strange countries, and he shall try good and evil among men. He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the Most High. He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins. For if it shall please the great Lord, he will fill him with the spirit of understanding, and he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers. And in his prayer he will confess to the Lord, and he shall direct his counsel and his knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate. He shall show forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten. The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation. Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall show forth his praise. If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand, and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage. I will yet meditate that I may declare, for I am filled as with the holy transport. By voice he saith, hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of water. Give ye a sweet odor as frankincense, send forth flowers as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canicles, and bless the Lord in his works. Magnify his name, and give glory to him with the voice of your lips, and with the canicles of your mouth, and with harps, and in praising him, you shall say in this manner, all the works of the Lord are exceeding good. At his word the water is stood as a heap, and at his words of his mouth the receptacles of the waters. For at his command favor is shown, and there is no distinguishing of his salvation. The works of all flesh are before him, and there is nothing hid from his eyes. He seeth from eternity to eternity, and there is nothing wonderful before him. There is no saying, what is this, or what is that, for all things shall be sought in their time. His blessing has overflowed like a river, and as a flood hath watered the earth. So shall his wrath inherit the nations that have not sought after him. Even as he turned the waters into dry land, and the earth was made dry, and his ways were made plain for their journey, so to sinners they are stumbling blocks in his wrath. Good things were created for the good from the beginning, so for the wicked, good and evil things. The principal things necessary for the life of men are water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and bread of flour, and honey, and the cluster of the grape, and oil, and clothing. All these things shall be for good to the holy, so to the sinners, and the ungodly. They shall be turned into evil. There are spirits that are created for vengeance, and in their fury they lay on grievous torments. In the time of destruction they shall pour out their force, and they shall appease the wrath of him that made them. Fire, hail, famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance. The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction. In his commandments they shall feast, and they shall be ready upon the earth when need is. And when their time has come, they shall not transgress his word. Therefore, from the beginning I was resolved, and I have meditated, and thought on these things, and left them in writing. All the works of the Lord are good, and he will furnish every work in due time. It is not to be said, this is worse than that, for all shall be well approved in their time. Now therefore with the whole heart and mouth praise ye him, and bless the name of the Lord. CHAPTER 40 Great labor is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb until the day of their burial into the mother of all. Their thoughts and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end, from him that sitteth on the glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes, from him that weareth purple and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen, wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger and strife. And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of night chaineth his knowledge. A little and as nothing is his rest, an afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch. He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up and wondereth that there is no fear. Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold more. More over death and bloodshed, strife and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction and scourges. All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood. All things that are of the earth shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea. All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out, and fidelity shall stand forever. The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass away with a noise, like a great thunder in the rain. While he openeth his hand, he shall rejoice, but transgressors shall pine away in the end. The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock. The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass. Grace is like a paradise in blessing, and mercy remaineth forever. The life of a laborer that is content with what he hath shall be sweet, and in it thou shall find a treasure. Children and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both. Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both. The flutes and the sultry make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both. Thy eye desireth favor and beauty, but more than these green, sown fields. A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband. Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver them more than they. Gold and silver make the feet stand sure, but wise counsel is above them both. Riches in strength lift up the heart, but above these is the fear of the Lord. There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help. The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory. My son, in the lifetime, be not indigent, for it is better to die than to want. The life of him that looketh toward any man's table is not to be counted a life, for he feedeth his soul with another man's meat. But a man well instructed and taught will look to himself. Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the unwise, but in his belly there shall burn a fire. End of chapters 36-40 O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions, to a man that is at rest, and whose ways are prosperous in all things, and that is yet able to take meat. O death, thy sentence is welcome to the man that is in need, and to him who strength faileth, who is in a decrepit age, and that is in care about all things, and to the distrustful that loses patience. Fear not the sentence of death, remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee. This sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh, but what shall come upon thee by the good pleasure of the most high, whether ten or a hundred or a thousand years, for among the dead there is no accusing of life. The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly. The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach. The children will complain of an ungodly father, because for his sake they are in reproach. Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most high Lord. And if you be born, you shall be born in maldiction, and if you die in maldiction shall be your portion. All things that are of the earth shall return into the earth. So the ungodly shall from maldiction to destruction. The mourning of men is about their body, but the name of the ungodly shall be blotted out. Take care of a good name, for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great. A good life hath its number of days, but a good name shall continue forever. My children, keep discipline and peace, for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen. What profit is there in them both? Better is the man that hideeth his folly, than the man that hideeth his wisdom. Wherefore have a shame of these things I am now going to speak of. For it is not good to keep all shame-facedness, and all things do not please all men in opinion. Be ashamed of fornication before father and mother, and of a lie before a governor and a man in power, of an offense before a prince and a judge, of iniquity before a congregation and a people, of injustice before a companion and a friend, and in regard to the place where they'll dwellest, of theft and of the truth of God, of the covenant, of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit and giving and taking, of silence before them that salute thee, of looking upon a harlot, of taking away thy face from thy kinsman, turn not away thy face from thy neighbor, and of taking away a portion and not restoring. Gaze not upon another man's wife, and be not inquisitive after his handmaid, and approach not her bed. Be ashamed of upbraiding speeches before friends, and after thou hast given a braid not. Chapter 42 Repeat not the word which thou hast heard, but follows not the thing that is secret. So shall thou be truly without confusion, and shall find favor before all men. Be not ashamed of any of these things, and accept no person to sin thereby, of the law of the Most High and of his covenant, and of judgment to justify the ungodly, of the affair of companions and travelers, and of the gift of the inheritance of friends, of exactness of balance and weights, of much or little, of the corruption of buying, and of merchants, and of much correction of children, and to make the side of the wicked slave to bleed. Surekeeping is good over a wicked life, where there are many hands shut up and deliver all things in number and weight, and put all in writing that thou mayest give out or receive us in. Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged, that are judged by young men, and now shall be well instructed in all things, and well improved in the sight of all men living. The Father waketh for the daughter, when no man knoweth, and the care of her taketh away his sleep. When she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age, and when she is married, lest she be hateful. In her virginity, lest she be corrupted, and be found with child in her father's house. And having a husband, lest she should misbehave herself, or at the least become barren. Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter, lest at any time she make thee become a laughingstock to thine enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and she make thee ashamed before all the multitude. Behold not everybody's beauty, and tarry not among women. For from garments cometh a moth, and from a woman the iniquity of a man. For better is the iniquity of a man than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach. I will now remember the works of the Lord, and I will declare the things I have seen. By the words of the Lord are his works. The Son, giving light, hath looked upon all things, and full of the glory of the Lord is his work. Hath not the Lord made the saints to declare all his wonderful works, which the Lord Almighty hath firmly settled to be established for his glory. He hath searched out the deep and the heart of men, and considered their crafty devices. For the Lord knoweth all knowledge, and hath beheld the signs of the world. He declareeth the things that are past, and the things that are to come, and revealeth the traces of hidden things. No thought escapeeth him, and no word can hide itself from him. He hath beautified the glorious works of his wisdom, and he is from eternity to eternity, and to him nothing may be added. Nor can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counselor. O how desirable are all his works, and what we can know is but as a spark. All these things live and remain forever, and for every use all things obey him. All things are double, one against another, and he hath made nothing defective. He hath established the good things of every one, and who shall be filled with beholding his glory? Chapter 43 The firmament on high is his beauty, the beauty of heaven with its glorious show. The sun, when he appeared, showing forth at his rising an admiral instrument, the work of the Most High. At noon he burneth the earth, and who can abide his burning heat, as one keeping a furnace in the works of heat? The sun three times as much burneth the mountains, breathing out fiery vapours, and shining with his beams, he blindeth the eyes. Great is the Lord that made him, and at his words he hath hastened his course. And the moon in all her season is for a declaration of times and a sign of the world. From the moon is the sign of the festival day, a light that decreases in her perfection. The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her perfection, being an instrument of the armies on high, shining gloriously in the firmament of heaven. The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven. The Lord enlighteneth the world on high. By the words of the Holy One they stand in judgment, and shall never fall in their watches. Look upon the rainbow, and bless him that made it. It is very beautiful in its brightness. It compasseth the heaven about with the circle of its glory. The hands of the Most High have displayed it. By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment. Through this are the treasures opened, and the clouds fly out like birds. By his greatness he hath fixed the clouds, and the hail stones are broken. At his sight shall the mountains be shaken, and at his will the south wind shall blow. The noise of his thunder shall strike the earth, so doth the northern storm and the whirlwind. And as the birds lighting upon the earth, he scattereth snow, and the falling thereof is as the coming down of locusts. The eye admireseth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the shower thereof. He shall pour frost as salt upon the earth, and when it freezes it shall become like the tops of thistles. The cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into crystal. Upon every gathering together of waters it shall rest, and shall clothe the waters as a breastplate. And it shall devour the mountains, and burn the wilderness, and consume all that is green as with fire. A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it. By the heat that cometh shall overpower it. At his word the wind is still, and with his thought he appeaseth the deep, and the Lord hath planted islands therein. Let them that sail on the sea tell the dangers thereof, and when we hear with our ears we shall admire. There are great and wonderful works, a variety of beasts, and of all living things, and the monstrous creatures of whales. Through him is established the end of their journey, and by his word all things are regulated. We shall say much, and yet shall want words. But the sum of our words is, he is all. What shall we be able to do to glorify him? For the Almighty himself is above all his works. The Lord is terrible, and exceedingly great, and his power is admirable. Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful. Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much as you can, for he is above all praise. When you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary, for you can never go far enough. Who shall see him and declare him, and who shall magnify him as he is from the beginning? There are many things hidden from us that are greater than these, for we have seen but a few of his works. But the Lord hath made all things, and to the godly he hath given wisdom. Chapter 44 Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation. The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning, such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their reason, showing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets, and ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom, and the glory of the people in most holy words. Such as by their skill, sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures, rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness, living at peace in their houses. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days. They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related. To whom there is no memorial who are perished, as if they had never been, and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them. But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed. Good things continue with their seed. Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed has stood in the covenants. And their children for their sake remain forever. Their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken. Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation. Let the people show forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise. Enoch pleased God and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations. Noah was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. Therefore, was there a remnant left to the earth when the flood came? The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood. Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the Most High, and was in covenant with him. In his flesh he established the covenants, and in temptation he was found faithful. Therefore, by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth, and that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father. The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes. And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh. Chapter 45 Moses was beloved of God and men, whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him his glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh, for he heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And he gave him commandments before his face, in the law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments. He exalted Aaron his brother, and liked to himself of the tribe of Levi. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory. And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire, and put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and an effaud, and he encompassed him with many little bells of gold, all round about. That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that he might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people. He gave him a holy robe of gold, in blue and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth. Of twisted scarlet, the work of an artist, was precious stones cut and set in gold, engraven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, and a crown of gold upon his mitre, wherein was engraved holiness, and ornaments of honor, a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty. Before him there were none so beautiful, even from the beginning, no stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren forever. His sacrifices were consumed with fire every day. Moses filled his hands, and anointed him with holy oil. This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name. He chose him, of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, to the Savior, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people, and to give him power in his commandments, in the covenants of his judgments, that he should teach Jacob, his testimonies, and give light to Israel in his law. Then strangers stood up against him, and through envy, the men that were with Dathan and Abrayon, compassed him about in the wilderness, and the congregation of Cor in the wrath. The Lord saw, and placed him not, and they were consumed in his wrathful indignation. He brought wonders upon them, and consumed them with the flame of fire, and he added glory to Aaron, and gave him an inheritance, and divided unto him the first fruits of the increase of the earth. He prepared them bread, and the first place unto fullness. For the sacrifices also of the Lord they shall eat, which he gave to him and to his seed. But he shall not inherit the land, and he had no portion among the people. For he himself is his portion and inheritance. Phineas, the son of Eleazar, is the third in glory by imitating him in the fear of the Lord. And he stood up in the shameful fall of the people. In the goodness and readiness of his soul he appeased God for Israel. Therefore he made to him a covenant of peace to be the prince of the sanctuary and to be to him and to his seed forever. And a covenant to David the king, the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, an inheritance to him and to his seed, that he might give wisdom into our hearts to judge his people in justice, that their good things might not be abolished, and he made their glory in their nation everlasting. End of chapters 41 through 45 Chapters 46 through 51 of Ecclesiasticus Dewey Reim's version. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Valience and war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name. Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel. How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands and stretched out swords against the cities, who before him hath so resisted, for the Lord himself brought the enemies. Was not the son stopped in his anger, and one day made his two. He called upon the most high sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God hurt him by hailstones of exceeding great force. He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in dissent he destroyed the adversaries, that the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one, and in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb, the son of Jeffon, in standing against the enemy and withholding the people from sins and appeasing the wicked murmuring. And they too, being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of 600,000 men on foot to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey. And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed ordained it for an inheritance, that all the children of Israel might see that it is good to obey the holy God. When all the judges, everyone by name, whose heart was not corrupted, who turned not away from the Lord, that their memory might be blessed, spring up out of their place. And their name continued forever, the glory of the holy men remaining unto their children. Samuel the great prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord, his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people. By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet, and he was known to be faithful in his words, because he saw the God of light in the name of the Lord Almighty, and fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish. And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a great noise made his voice to be heard, and he crushed the princes of the Tyrians, and all the lords of the Philistines. And before the time of the end of his life in the world, he protested before the Lord, and his anointed. Money, or anything else, even to a shoe, he had not taken it. And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and showed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy to blot out the wickedness of the nation. Chapter 47 Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David, and as the fat take it away from the flesh, so was David chosen among the children of Israel. He played with lions, as with lambs, and with bears he did in like manner, as with the lambs of the flock in his youth. Did not he kill the giant, and take away the reproach from his people? And lifting up his hand with the stone in the sling, he beat down the boasting of Goliath, for he called upon the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his hand to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation. So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, and offering to him a crown of glory, for he destroyed his enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines, the adversaries unto this day. He broke their horn forever. In all his works he give thanks to the Holy One, and to the Most High, with words of glory. With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him, and he gave him power against his enemies, and he set singers before the altar, and by their voices he made sweet melody. And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order solemn times, even to the end of his life, that they should praise the Holy Name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever, and gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel. After him arose a wise son, and for his sake he cast down all the power of the enemies. Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God brought all his enemies under him, that he might build a house in his name, and prepare a sanctuary forever. Oh, how wise was thou in thy youth, and thou was filled as a river with wisdom, and thy soul covered the earth, and thou didst multiply riddles and parables. Thy name went abroad to the islands far off, and thou wasst beloved in thy peace. The countries wandered at thee for their canticles, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations, and at the name of the Lord God, whose surname is God of Israel. Thou didst gather gold as copper, and didst multiply silver as lead, and thou didst bow thyself to women, and by thy body thou was brought under subjection. Thou hast stained thy glory, and defiled thy seed, so as to bring wrath upon thy children, and to have thy folly kindled. That thou shouldst make the kingdom to be divided, and out of Ephraim a rebellious kingdom to rule, and not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor utterly abolish his own works, neither will he cut up by the roots the offspring of his elect, and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord. Wherefore he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David of the same stock, and Solomon had an end with his fathers, and he left behind him of his seed the folly of the nation, even Roboam, that had little wisdom who turned away the people through his council. And Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, who caused Israel to sin, and showed Ephraim the way of sin, and their sins were multiplied exceedingly. They removed them far away from their land, and they sought out all iniquities till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins. Chapter 48. An Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch. He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven-thents. Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee, who raised up a dead man from below, from the lot of death by the word of the Lord God, who brought us down kings to destruction, and broke us easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed, who hurt us judgment in Sinai, and in horror the judgments of vengeance, who anointest kings to penance, and made us prophets successors after thee, who was taken up in a whirlwind of fire in a chariot of fiery horses, who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the hearts of the Father to the Son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honored with thy friendship, for we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such. Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Elias. In his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he. No word could overcome him, and after death his body prophesied. In his life he did great wonders, and in death he wrought miracles. For all this the people repented not, and neither did they depart from their sins, till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth. And there was left but a small people, and a prince in the house of David. Some of these did what pleased God, but others committed many sins. Ezekaius fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water. In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Repsacus, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Zion, and became proud through his power. Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in pain as women in travail, and they called upon the Lord who was merciful, and spreading their hands they lifted them up to heaven, and the Holy Lord God quickly heard their voice. He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Ezekaius, the Holy Prophet. He overthrew the Lord, destroyed them. For Ezekaius did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaiah the great prophet and the faithful in the sight of God had commanded in. In his days the son went backward, and he lengthened the king's life. With a great spirit he saw the things that are come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Zion. He showed what should come to pass forever, and secret things before they came. Chapter 49 The memory of Josiah is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of the perfumer. His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and his music at a banquet of wine. He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness, and he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness, except David and Ezekius and Josiah all committed sin. For the kings of Judah foresook the law of the Most High, and despised the fear of God, so they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation. They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremiah's. For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother's womb to overthrow and pluck up and destroy, and to build again and renew. It was Ezekiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shown him upon the chariot of Cherubim. For he made mention of the enemies under the fain of rain, and of doing good to them that showed right ways. Made the bones of the twelve prophets spring out of their place, for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by a strong faith. How shall we magnify as a rubble? For he was a signet on the right hand. In like manner Jesus, the son of Joseph, who in their days built a house and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory. And let Nehemiah's be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down and set up the gates and the bars who rebuilt our houses. No man was born upon the earth like Enoch, for he also was taken up from the earth. Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people, and his bones were visited, and after his death they prophesied. Seth and Shem obtained glory among men, and above every soul Adam in the beginning. Chapter 50 Simon the High Priest and the son of Oneas, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple. By him also the height of the temple was founded. The double building and the high walls of the temple. The walls of water flowed out and they were filled as the sea above measure. He took care of his nation and delivered it from destruction. He prevailed to enlarge the city and obtain glory in his conversation with the people and enlarge the entrance of the house in the court. He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud and as the moon at the full and as the sun when it shined, so did he shine in the temple of God and as the rainbow giving light in the clouds and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer, as a bright fire and frankincense burning in the fire, as a massy vessel of gold adorned with every precious stone, as an olive tree budding forth and a cypress tree rearing itself on high when he put on the robe of glory and was closed with the perfection of power. When he went up to the holy altar he honored the vesture of holiness and when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests he himself stood by the altar and about him was the ring of his brethren and as the cedar planted in Mount Libanus and as branches of palm trees they stood round about him and all the sons of Aaron in their glory and the oblation of the Lord was in their hands before all the congregation of Israel and finishing his service on the altar to honor the offering of the Most High King. He stretched forth his hand to make a libation and offered of the blood of the grape. He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odor to the Most High Prince. Then the sons of Aaron shouted they shouted with beaten trumpets and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God. Then all the people together made haste and fell down to the earth upon their faces to adore the Lord their God and to pray to the Almighty the Most High and the singers lifted up their voices and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased and the people in prayer besought the Lord the Most High until the worship of the Lord was perfected and they had finished their office. Then coming down he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel to give glory to the Lord with his lips and to glory in his name and he repeated his prayer willing to show the power of God and to pray to the God of all who had done great things in all the earth who had increased our days from our mother's womb and had done with us according to his mercy may he grant us joyfulness of heart and that there be peace for our days in Israel forever that Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us to deliver us in his days there are two nations which my soul abhoreth and the third is no nation which I hate they that sits on Matseir and the Philistines and the foolish people that dwell in Sheikham Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction the renewed wisdom from his heart blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that lay at them up in his heart shall be wise always for if he do them he shall be strong to do all things because the light of God guided his steps Chapter 51 A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach I will give glory to thee O Lord, O King and I will praise thee, O God, my Saviour I will give glory to thy name for thou hast been a helper and a protector to me and has preserved my body from destruction and from the snare of an unjust tongue and from the lips of them that forged lies and in the sight of them that stood by thou hast been my helper and now has delivered me according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name from them that did roar prepared to devour out of the hands of them that sought my life and from the gates of afflictions which compassed me about from the oppression of the flame which surrounded me and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt from the depth of the belly of hell and from an unclean tongue and from lying lips from an unjust king and from a slanderous tongue and I will praise the Lord even till death and my life was drawing near to hell beneath they compassed me on every side and there was no one that would help me I looked for the sucker of men and there was none I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works which are from the beginning of the world how thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord and save them out of the hands of the nations thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble and in the time of the proud without help I will praise thy name continually and will praise it with thanksgiving and my prayer was heard and thou hast saved me from destruction and hast delivered me from the evil time therefore I will give thanks and praise thee and bless the name of the Lord when I was yet young before I wandered about my wisdom openly in my prayer I prayed for her before the temple and unto the very end I will seek after her and she flourished as a grape soon ripe my heart delighted in her my foot walked in the right way from my youth up I sought after her I bowed down my ear a little and received her I found much wisdom in myself and profited much therein to him that giveeth me wisdom will I give glory and discernment to follow her I have had a zeal for good and shall not be confounded my soul hath rested for her and in doing it I have been confirmed I stretched forth my hands on high and I bewailed my ignorance of her I directed my soul to her and in knowledge I found her I possessed my heart with her from the beginning therefore I shall not be forsaken my entrails were troubled in seeking her shall I possess a good possession the Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward and with it I will praise him draw near to me ye unlearned and gather yourselves together into the hours of discipline why are ye slow and what do you say of these things your souls are exceedingly thirsty I have opened my mouth and I have spoken buy her for yourselves without silver and submit your neck to the yoke let your soul receive discipline for she is near at hand to be found behold with your eyes how I have labored a little and have found much rest to myself receive ye discipline as a great sum of money and possess abundance of gold buy her let your soul rejoice in his mercy and you shall not be confounded in his praise work your work before the time and he will give you your reward in his time 45 through 51 end of the wisdom of Jesus the son of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus Dewey Ream's version