Sirach 51:2-4

Good News Translation

²     for you have helped me and protected me.
You have rescued me from death,
    from dangerous lies and slander.
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;