Sirach 23:1-3

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

23 O Lord, Father and Master of my life,
    do not abandon me to their designs,
    and do not let me fall among them!^(A)
2 Who will set whips over my thoughts
    and the discipline of wisdom over my mind,
so as not to spare me in my errors
    and not overlook my^[a] sins?^(B)
3 Otherwise my mistakes may be multiplied,
    and my sins may abound,
and I may fall before my adversaries,
    and my enemy may rejoice over me.^[b](C)