Ben Sira 51:1-8

1 I give you thanks, O Lord and King, and praise you, O God my Savior. I give thanks to your name,
2 for you have been my protector and helper and have delivered me from destruction and from the trap laid by a slanderous tongue, from lips that fabricate lies. In the face of my adversaries you have been my helper
3 and delivered me, in the greatness of your mercy and of your name, from grinding teeth about to devour me, from the hand of those seeking my life, from the many troubles I endured,
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 from of old, for you rescue those who wait for you and save them from the hand of their enemies.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Other ancient authorities read [work]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.