Ben Sira 51:5-15

5 from the depths of the 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 very near to Hades beneath.
7 They surrounded me on every side, and there was no one to help me; I looked for the assistance of men, and there was none.
8 Then I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy work from of old, that thou dost deliver those who wait for thee and dost save them from the hand of their enemies.
9 And I sent up my supplication from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death.
10 I appealed to the Lord, the Father of my lord, not to forsake me in the days of affliction, at the time when there is no help against the proud.
11 I will praise thy name continually, and will sing praise with thanksgiving. My prayer was heard,
12 for thou didst save me from destruction and rescue me from an evil plight. Therefore I will give thanks to thee and praise thee, and I will bless the name of the Lord.
13 While I was still young, before I went on my travels, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
14 Before the temple I asked for her, and I will search for her to the last.
15 From blossom to ripening grape my heart delighted in her; my foot entered upon the straight path; from my youth I followed her steps.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.