Chapter 50 _{9 As fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessel of beaten gold set with all manner of precious stones:10 And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which groweth up to the clouds.11 When he put on the robe of honour, and was clothed with the perfection of glory, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the garment of holiness honourable.12 When he took the portions out of the priests' hands, he himself stood by the hearth of the altar, compassed about, as a young cedar in Libanus; and as palm trees compassed they him round about.13 So were all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and the oblations of the Lord in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel.14 And finishing the service at the altar, that he might adorn the offering of the most high Almighty,15 He stretched out his hand to the cup, and poured of the blood of the grape, he poured out at the foot of the altar a sweetsmelling savour unto the most high King of all.16 Then shouted the sons of Aaron, and sounded the silver trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard, for a remembrance before the most High.17 Then all the people together hasted, and fell down to the earth upon their faces to worship their Lord God Almighty, the most High.18 The singers also sang praises with their voices, with great variety of sounds was there made sweet melody.19 And the people besought the Lord, the most High, by prayer before him that is merciful, till the solemnity of the Lord was ended, and they had finished his service.20 Then he went down, and lifted up his hands over the whole congregation of the children of Israel, to give the blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to rejoice in his name.21 And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the most High.22 Now therefore bless ye the God of all, which only doeth wondrous things every where, which exalteth our days from the womb, and dealeth with us according to his mercy.23 He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever:24 That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!25 There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and the third is no nation:26 They that sit upon the mountain of Samaria, and they that dwell among the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem.27 Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem hath written in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge, who out of his heart poured forth wisdom.28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.29 For if he do them, he shall be strong to all things: for the light of the Lord leadeth him, who giveth wisdom to the godly. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. Amen, Amen. [A Prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach.]}

Chapter 51 _{1 I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour: I do give praise unto thy name:2 For thou art my defender and helper, and has preserved my body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and has been mine helper against mine adversaries:3 And hast delivered me, according to the multitude of they mercies and greatness of thy name, from the teeth of them that were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of such as sought after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had;4 From the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of the fire which I kindled not;5 From the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words.6 By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue my soul drew near even unto death, my life was near to the hell beneath.7 They compassed me on every side, and there was no man to help me: I looked for the succour of men, but there was none.8 Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the enemies.9 Then lifted I up my supplications from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death.10 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.11 I will praise thy name continually, and will sing praises with thanksgiving; and so my prayer was heard:12 For thou savedst me from destruction, and deliveredst me from the evil time: therefore will I give thanks, and praise thee, and bless they name, O Lord.13 When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I desired wisdom openly in my prayer.14 I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek her out even to the end.}