Ben Sira 51:3-13

3 You helped me when no one else would; in your great mercy you saved me from the many troubles I have known: from the glaring hatred of my enemies, who wanted to put an end to my life;
4 from suffocation in oppressive smoke rising from fires that I did not light;
5 from death itself; from vicious slander reported to the king.
6 I was once brought face-to-face with death;
7 enemies surrounded me everywhere. I looked for someone to help me, but there was no one there.
8 But then, O Lord, I remembered how merciful you are and what you had done in times past. I remembered that you rescue those who rely on you, that you save them from their enemies.
9 Then from here on earth I prayed to you to rescue me from death.
10 I prayed, "O Lord, you are my father; do not abandon me to my troubles when I am helpless against arrogant enemies.
11 I will always praise you and sing hymns of thanksgiving." You answered my prayer,
12 and saved me from the threat of destruction. And so I thank you and praise you. O Lord, I praise you!
13 When I was still young, before I started out on my travels, I boldly prayed for Wisdom.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [Hebrew] you are my father; [Greek] father of my Lord.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.