Ben Sira 51:6-12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
6 from the arrows of a treacherous tongue.
I was at the point of death,
my life was nearing the depths of Sheol;(A)
7 I turned every way, but there was no one to help;
I looked for support but there was none.(B)
8 Then I remembered the mercies of the Lord,
his acts of kindness through ages past;
For he saves those who take refuge in him,
and rescues them from every evil.
9 So I raised my voice from the grave;
from the gates of Sheol I cried for help.
10 I called out: Lord, you are my Father,
my champion, my savior!
Do not abandon me in time of trouble,
in the midst of storms and dangers.(C)
11 I will always praise your name
and remember you in prayer!
Then the Lord heard my voice,
and listened to my appeal.
12 He saved me from every evil
and preserved me in time of trouble.
For this reason I thank and praise him;
I bless the name of the Lord.[a]
Footnotes
- 51:12
After this verse the Hebrew text gives the litany of praise contained below. It is similar to Ps 136. Though not found in any versions, and therefore of doubtful authenticity, the litany seems from internal evidence to go back to the time of Ben Sira.
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the God of glory, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the Guardian of Israel, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the creator of all things, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the redeemer of Israel, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to God who gathers the dispersed of Israel, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to God who builds the city and sanctuary, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to God who makes a horn sprout forth for the house of David, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to God who has chosen the sons of Zadok as priests, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the Shield of Abraham, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the Rock of Isaac, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the Mighty One of Jacob, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to God who has chosen Zion, for God’s love endures forever;
Give praise to the King, the king of kings, for God’s love endures forever.
He has lifted up the horn of his people! Let this be his praise from all the faithful,
From Israel, the people near to him. Hallelujah! (Cf. Ps 148:14.)
Sirach 51:6-12
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
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[a] from of old,
for you rescue those who wait for you
and save them from the hand of their enemies.
9 And I sent up my prayer from the earth,
and begged for rescue from death.
10 I cried out, “Lord, you are my Father;[b]
do not forsake me in the days of trouble,
when there is no help against the proud.
11 I will praise your name continually,
and will sing hymns of thanksgiving.”
My prayer was heard,
12 for you saved me from destruction
and rescued me in time of trouble.
For this reason I thank you and praise you,
and I bless the name of the Lord.
Heb adds:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the God of praises,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the guardian of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to him who formed all things,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the shield of Abraham,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the rock of Isaac,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his loyal ones.
For the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Praise the Lord!
Footnotes
- Sirach 51:8 Other ancient authorities read work
- Sirach 51:10 Heb: Gk the Father of my lord
Sirach 51:6-12
Common English Bible
6 as well as the arrowlike
tongue of the unrighteous.
My soul approached death,
and my life was on the edge of the grave[a] below.
7 People surrounded me on every side,
and no one helped;
I looked for assistance from human beings, and there was none.
8 Then I remembered your mercy, Lord,
and your charity[b] from long ago,
that you raise up those who wait for you
and save them from the hands
of the wicked.
9 I sent up my prayer from the earth,
and I begged to be rescued from death.
10 I called out to the Lord,
the father of my master:[c]
“Don’t desert me in the time
of my distress,
when I am helpless before the arrogant.
11 I will praise your name continually,
and I will sing thanksgiving hymns.”
My prayer was heard,
12 because you saved me from destruction
and you rescued me from an evil time.
For this, I will give thanks, praise you,
and bless the Lord’s name.[d]
Footnotes
- Sirach 51:6 LXX Hades
- Sirach 51:8 Some Gk manuscripts work; Heb faithful loyalty
- Sirach 51:10 Heb I cried out to the Lord, “You are my father.”
- Sirach 51:12 Between 51:12 and 13, Heb adds a long doxology.
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