1
אֲהַלְלֶךָּ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעִי, אוֹדְךָ אֱלֹהֵי אָבִי. אֲסַפְּרָה שִׁמְךָ מָעוֹז חַיַּי, כִּי פָדִיתָ מִמָּוֶת נַפְשִׁי.
I will praise thee, O God of my salvation; I will give thanks unto thee (?), my God, my Father; I will declare thy name, O stronghold of my life. For thou hast redeemed my soul from death.
Ἐξομολογήσομαι σοι Κύριε βασιλεῦ, καὶ αἰνέσω σε Θεὸν τὸν σωτῆρά μου· ἐξομολογοῦμαι τῷ ὀνόματί σου,
I will thank thee, O Lord and King, And praise thee, O God my Savior: I do give praise unto thy name:
2
חָשַׂכְתָּ בְשָׂרִי מִשַּׁחַת, וּמִיַּד שְׁאוֹל הִצַּלְתָּ רַגְלִי. פִּצִּיתַנִי מִדִּבַּת עָם, מִשּׁוֹט דִּבַּת לָשׁוֹן וּמִשְּׂפַת שָׂטֵי כָזָב. נֶגֶד קָמַי הָיִיתָה לִּי, עֲזַרְתַּנִי כְּרוֹב חַסְדֶּךָ.
Thou hast kept back my flesh from corruption; And hast delivered my foot from the hand of Sheol. Thou hast delivered me from the evil report of the people; From the scourge of (?) the tongue, and from the lip of them that go aside to lies. Thou wast with me against them that rose up against me; Thou hast holpen me according to thy great mercy:
ὅτι σκεπαστὴς καὶ βοηθὸς ἐγένου μοι, καὶ ἐλυτρώσω τὸ σῶμά μου ἐξ ἀπωλείας, καὶ ἐκ παγίδος διαβολῆς γλώσσης· ἀπὸ χειλέων ἐργαζομένων ψεῦδος, καὶ ἔναντι τῶν παρεστηκότων ἐγένου μοι βοηθὸς,
For thou art my defender and helper, And hast preserved my body from destruction, And from the snare of the slanderous tongue, And from the lips that forge lies, And hast been my helper against mine adversaries:
3
מִמּוֹקֵש צוֹפֵי צַלְעִי, וּמִּיַד מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי. מֵרַבּוֹת צָרוֹת הוֹשַׁעְתָּנִי, וּמִמְּצוּקוֹת שַׁלְהֶבֶת מִסָּבִיב.
Out of the snare of them that watched for my halting (?); And from the hand of them that sought my life. From many troubles thou hast saved me; And from chokings of flaming fire..
καὶ ἐλυτρώσω με, κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος ἐλέους καὶ ὀνόματός σου, ἐκ βρυγμῶν ἑτοίμων εἰς βρῶμα, ἐκ χειρὸς ζητούντων τὴν ψυχήν μου, ἐκ πλειόνων θλίψεων ὧν ἔσχον,
And hast delivered me, according to the multitude of thy 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
מְכַבּוֹת אֵשׁ לְאֵין פֶּחָה, מֵרֶחֶם תְּהוֹם לְאִמִּי.
From flames of a fire not blown (?); From the womb of the deep....
ἀπὸ πνιγμοῦ πυρὸς κυκλόθεν, καὶ ἐκ μέσου πυρὸς οὗ οὐκ ἐξέκαυσα,
From the choking of fire on every side, And from the midst of the fire which I kindled not;
5
מִשִׂפְתֵי זִמָּה וְטֹפְלֵי שֶׁקֶר, וְחִצֵּי לְשוֹן מִרְמָה.
From cunning lips, and weavers of lies; And the arrows of a deceitful tongue.
ἐκ βάθους κοιλίας ᾅδου, καὶ ἀπὸ γλώσσης ἀκαθάρτου, καὶ λόγου ψευδοῦς.
From the depth of the belly of hell, From an unclean tongue, and from lying words.
6
וַתִּגַּע לַמָּוֶת נַפְשִׁי, וְחַיָּתִי לִשְׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיּוֹת.
And my soul drew near unto death; And my life to Sheol beneath.
Βασιλεῖ διαβολὴ γλώσσης ἀδίκου· ᾔγγισεν ἕως θανάτου ἡ ψυχή μου, καὶ ἡ ζωή μου ἦν σύνεγγυς ᾅδου κάτω.
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
וָאֶפְנֶה סָבִיב וְאֵין עוֹזֵר לִי, וַאֲצַפֶּה סוֹמֵךְ וְאָיִן.
And I turned around, and there was none that helped me; And I looked for one that would succour, and there was none.
Περιέσχον με πάντοθεν, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ βοηθῶν· ἐμβλέπων εἰς ἀντίληψιν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ οὐκ ἦν.
They compassed me on every side, And there was no man to help me: I looked for the succor of men, but there was none.
8
וָאֶזְכְּרָה אֶת רַחֲמֵי יְהֹוָה, וַחֲסָדָיו אֲשֶׁר מֵעוֹלָם. הַמַּצִּיל אֶת חוֹסֵי בוֹ, וַיִּגְאָלֵם מִכָּל רָע.
And I remembered the mercies of the Lord; And his lovingkindnesses which are from everlasting. He that delivereth them that trust in him; And redeemeth them from all evil.
Καὶ ἐμνήσθην τοῦ ἐλέους σου Κύριε, καὶ τῆς ἐργασίας σου τῆς ἀπʼ αἰῶνος· ὅτι ἐξελῇ τοὺς ὑπομένοντάς σε, καὶ σώζεις αὐτοὺς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐθνῶν.
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
וְאָרִים מֵאֶרֶץ קוֹלִי, וּמִּשַּׁעֲרֵי שְׁאוֹל שִׁוַּעְתִּי.
And I lifted up my voice from the earth; And from the gates of Sheol I cried.
Καὶ ἀνύψωσα ἐπὶ γῆς ἱκετείαν μου, καὶ ὑπὲρ θανάτου ῥύσεως ἐδεήθην.
Then lifted I up my supplication from the earth, And prayed for deliverance from death.
10
וַאֲרוֹמֵם: יְהֹוָה אָבִי אַתָּה! כִּי אַתָּה גִּבּוֹר יִשְׁעִי. אַל תַּרְפֵּנִי בְּיוֹם צָרָה, בּיוֹם שׁוֹאָה וּמְשׁוֹאָה.
And I exalted the Lord, saying , Thou art my Father; For thou art the mighty one of my salvation. Leave me not in the day of trouble; In the day of wasteness and desolation.
Ἐπεκαλεσάμην Κύριον πατέρα Κυρίου μου, μή με ἐγκαταλιπεῖν ἐν ἡμέραις θλίψεως, ἐν καιρῷ ὑπερηφάνων ἀβοηθησίας.
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
אֲהַלְלָה שִׁמְךָ תָּמִיד, וְאֶזְכָּרְךָ בִּתְפִלָּה. אָז שָׁמַע קוֹלִי יְהֹוָה, וַיַּאֲזִין אֶל תַּחֲנוּנָי.
I will praise thy name continually; And I will remember thee with prayer. Then the Lord heard my voice; And gave ear unto my supplication.
Αἰνέσω τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐνδελεχῶς, καὶ ὑμνήσω ἐν ἐξομολογήσει· καὶ εἰσηκούσθη ἡ δέησίς μου.
I will praise thy name continually, And will sing praise with thanksgiving; And so my prayer was heard:
12
וַיִּפְדֵּנִי מִכָּל רָע, וַיְמַלְּטֵנִי בְּיוֹם צָרָה. עַל כֵּן הוֹדֵיתִי וַאֲהַלְלָה, וַאֲבָרְכָה אֶת שֵׁם יְהֹוָה. הוֹדוּ לַיהֹוָה כִּי טוֹב, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְאֵל הַתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְשׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְיוֹצֵר הַכֹּל, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְגוֹאֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לִמְקַבֵּץ נִדְחֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְבוֹנֶה עִירוֹ וּמִקְדָּשׁוֹ, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לַמַּצְמִיחַ קֶרֶן לְבֵית דָּוִד, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְבוֹחֵר בִּבְנֵי צָדוֹק לְכֹהֵן, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְמָגֵן אַבְרָהָם, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְצוּר יִצְחָק, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְאַבִּיר יַעֲקֹב, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְבוֹחֵר בְּצִיּוֹן, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. הוֹדוּ לְמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי מְלָכִים, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. וַיָּרֶם קֶרֶן לְעַמּוֹ, תְּהִלָּה לְכָל חֲסִידָיו, לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרוֹבוֹ, הַלְלוּ-יָהּ.
And he ransomed me from all evil; And freed me in the day of trouble. Therefore I gave thanks, and I will sing praise; And I will bless the name of the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of praises; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that keepeth Israel; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that formeth all; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that redeemeth Israel; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that gathereth the outcasts of Israel; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that buildeth his city and his sanctuary; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that maketh the horn of the house of David to bud; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that chose the sons of Zadok to be priests; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Shield of Abraham; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Rock of Isaac; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Mighty One of Jacob; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that chose Zion; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the King of the kings of kings; For his mercy endureth for ever. And he will lift up the horn of his people: A praise for all his saints; Even for the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
Ἔσωσας γάρ με ἐξ ἀπωλείας, καὶ ἐξείλου με ἐκ καιροῦ πονηροῦ· διὰ τοῦτο ἐξομολογήσομαι καὶ αἰνέσω σοι, καὶ εὐλογήσω τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου·
For thou savedst me from destruction, And deliveredst me from the evil time: Therefore will I give thanks, and praise thee, And bless thy name, O Lord.
13
אֲנִי נַעַר הָיִיתִי [וָאוֹהַב חָכְמָה], וְחָפַצְתִּי בָהּ וּבִקַּשְׁתִיהָ. בַּאֲמִתָּהּ דָּרְכָה רַגְלִי, אֲדֹנָי מִנְּעוּרַי חָכְמָה לָמַדְתִּי. וָאֶתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלָּה בִּנְעֻרוֹתָי, וְהַרְבֵּה מָצָאתִי דֵעָה.
I was a youth; And I delighted in her, and sought her. My foot trod in her truth; O my Lord, from my youth I learned wisdom. And I prayed a prayer in my youth; And I found knowledge abundantly.
Ἔτι ὢν νεώτερος, πρινὴ πλανηθῆναί με, ἐζήτησα σοφίαν προφανῶς ἐν προσευχῇ μου.
When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I desired wisdom openly in my prayer.
14
Ἔναντι ναοῦ ἠξίουν περὶ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἕως ἐσχάτων ἐκζητήσω αὐτὴν,
I prayed for her before the temple, And will seek her out even to the end.
15
ἐξ ἄνθους ὡς περκαζούσης σταφυλῆς· εὐφράνθη ἡ καρδία μου ἐν αὐτῇ, ἐπέβη ὁ πούς μου ἐν εὐθύτητι, ἐκ νεότητός μου ἴχνευσα αὐτήν.
Even from the flower till the grape was ripe Hath my heart delighted in her: My foot went the right way, From my youth up sought I after her.
16
Ἔκλινα ὀλίγον τὸ οὖς μου, καὶ ἐδεξάμην, καὶ πολλὴν εὗρον ἐμαυτῷ παιδείαν.
I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her, And got much learning.
17
עֻלָּהּ הָיָה לִי לְכָבוֹד, וְלִמְלַמְּדַי אֶתֵּן הוֹדָאָה.
Her yoke (?) was a glory to me; And to my teacher will I give thanks.
Προκοπὴ ἐγένετό μοι ἐν αὐτῇ· τῷ διδόντι μοι σοφίαν, δώσω δόξαν.
I profited therein, [Therefore] will I ascribe the glory unto him that giveth me wisdom.
18
חָשַׁבְתִּי לְהִיטֶיב [דַּרְכִּי], וְלֹא אַהֲפֹךְ כִּי אֶמְצָאֶנּוּ.
I thought to benefit; And I would not turn when I found it (?).
Διενοήθην γὰρ τοῦ ποιῆσαι αὐτὴν, καὶ ἐζήλωσα τὸ ἀγαθὸν, καὶ οὐ μὴ αἰσχυνθῶ.
For I purposed to do after her, And earnestly I followed that which is good; So shall I not be confounded.
19
חַשְׁקָה נַפְשִׁי בָּהּ, וּפָנַי לֹא אַהֲפֹך מִמֶּנָּה.
My soul longed for her; And I would not turn my face from her.
Διαμεμάχηται ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῇ, καὶ ἐν ποιήσει λιμοῦ διηκριβωσάμην· τὰς χεῖράς μου ἐξεπέτασα πρός ὕψος, καὶ τὰ ἀγνοήματα αὐτῆς ἐπένθησα,
My soul hath wrestled with her, And in my doings I was exact: I stretched forth my hands to the heaven above, And bewailed my ignorances of her.
20
נַפְשִׁי נָתַתִּי אַחֲרֶיהָ, וּלְנֵצַח נְצָחִים לֹא אַטֶּה מִמֶּנָּה. וּבְטָהֳרָה מְצָאתִיהָ, וְלֵב קָנִיתִי לָהּ מִתְּחִלָּתָהּ.
I gave my soul after her; And for ever and ever I will not swerve… My hand opened her gates; And I looked for her (?), and beheld her (S); And in pureness I found her. And I gat me (?) understanding from her beginning; Therefore........
τὴν ψυχήν μου κατεύθυνα εἰς αὐτὴν, καρδίαν ἐκτησάμην μετʼ αὐτῶν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, καὶ ἐν καθαρισμῷ εὗρον αὐτήν· διὰ τοῦτο οὐ μὴ ἐγκαταλειφθῶ.
I directed my soul unto her, And I found her in pureness: I have had my heart joined with her from the beginning, Therefore shall I not be forsaken.
21
מֵעַי יֵחַמּוּ כַּתַּנּוּר לְהַבִּיט בָּהּ, בַּעֲבוּר כֵּן לֹא אֶעֶזְבֶנָּה.
My inward parts were hot (?) as an oven for her, to behold her; Therefore I possessed her as a good possession.
Καὶ ἡ κοιλία μου ἐταράχθη ἐκζητῆσαι αὐτήν· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτησάμην ἀγαθὸν κτῆμα.
My heart was troubled in seeking her: Therefore have I gotten a good possession.
22
נָתַן יְהֹוָה לִי שְׂכַר שִׂפְתוֹתָי, בַּעֲבוּר כֵּן קְנִיתִיהָ קִנְיָן טוֹב.
The Lord gave me the reward of my lips; And with my tongue will I give him thanks.
Ἔδωκε Κύριος γλῶσσάν μοι μισθόν μου, καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ αἰνέσω αὐτόν.
The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward, And I will praise him therewith.
23
פְּנוּ אֵלַי סְכָלִים, וְלִינוּ בְּבֵית מִדְרָשִׁי.
Turn unto me, O foolish ones; And lodge in my house of learning.
Ἐγγίσατε πρὸς μὲ ἀπαίδευτοι, καὶ αὐλίσθητε ἐν οἴκῳ παιδείας.
Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, And dwell in the house of learning.
24
עַד מָתַי תַחְסְרוּן מִן אֵלּוּ וְאֵלּוּ, וְנַפְשְׁכֶם צְמֵאָה מְאֹד תִּהְיֶה.
How long shall ye lack these things, And your soul be very thirsty?
Διότι ὑστερεῖτε ἐν τούτοις, καὶ αἱ ψυχαὶ ὑμῶν διψῶσι σφόδρα;
Wherefore are ye slow, and what say ye of these things, Seeing your souls are very thirsty?
25
פִּי פָתַחְתִי וְדִבַּרְתִּי בָהּ, קְנוּ לָכֶם חָכְמָה בְּלֹא כָסֶף.
I opened my mouth and spake of her, Get ye wisdom in possession without money.
Ἤνοιξα τὸ στὸμα μου, καὶ ἐλάλησα, κτήσασθε ἑαυτοῖς ἄνευ ἀργυριου.
I opened my mouth, and said, Buy her for yourselves without money.
26
וְצַוְּארֵיכֶם בְּעֻלָּהּ הָבִיאוּ, וּמַשָּׂאָהּ תִּשָּׂא נַפְשְׁכֶם. קְרוּבָה הִיא לִמְבַקְשֶׁיהָ, וְנוֹתֵן נַפְשׁוֹ מוֹצֵא אֹתָהּ.
And (?) bring your necks into her yoke; And let your soul take up her burden. She is nigh to them that seek her; And he that giveth his soul findeth her.
Τὸν τράχηλον ὑμῶν ὑπόθετε ὑπὸ ζυγὸν, καὶ ἐπιδεξάσθω ἡ ψυχὴ ὑμῶν παιδείαν, ἐγγύς ἐστιν εὑρεῖν αὐτήν.
Put your neck under the yoke, And let your soul receive instruction: She is hard at hand to find.
27
רְאוּ בְעֵינֵיכֶם כִּי קָטֹן הָיִיתִי, וְעָמַדְתִּי בָהּ וּמְצָאתִיהָ.
See with your eyes that I was a little one; And I laboured (G S) in her and found her.
Ἴδετε ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν ὅτι ὀλίγον ἐκοπίασα, καὶ εὗρον ἐμαυτῷ πολλὴν ἀνάπαυσιν.
Behold with your eyes, how that I have had but little labor, And have gotten unto me much rest.
28
רַבִּים שָׁמְעוּ לִמּוּדִי בִּנְעֻרוֹתָי, וְכֶסֶף וְזָהָב תִּקְנוּ בִי.
Hear, ye many (?), my teaching in my youth; And ye shall get silver and gold by me.
Μετάσχετε παιδείας ἐν πολλῷ ἀριθμῷ ἀργυρίου, καὶ πολὺν χρυσὸν κτήσασθε ἐν αὐτῇ.
Get learning with a great sum of money, And get much gold by her.
29
תִּשְׂמַח נַפְשִׁי בְּשֵׂיבָתִי, וְלֹא תֵבוֹשוּ בְּשִׁירָתִי.
My soul shall rejoice in my age ( or his praise); And ye shall not be ashamed of my song.
Εὐφρανθείη ἡ ψυχὴ ὑμῶν ἐν τῷ ἐλέει αὐτοῦ, καὶ μὴ αἰσχυνθείητε ἐν αἰνέσει αὐτοῦ.
Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, And be not ashamed of his praise.
30
מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם עֲשׂוּ בִצְדָקָה, וְהוּא נוֹתֵן לָכֶם שְׂכַרְכֶם בְּעִתּוֹ. בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם, וּמְשֻׁבָּח שְׁמוֹ לְדֹר וָדֹר. עַד הֵנָּה דִּבְרֵי שִׁמְעוֹן / בֶּן יֵשׁוּעַ שֶׁנִּקְרָא בֶּן סִירָא. חָכְמַת שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יֵשׁוּעַ / בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן סִירָא. יְהִי שֵׁם יְהֹוָה מְבֹרָךְ / מִעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.
Work your works in righteousness; And he shall give you your reward in his season. Blessed is the Lord for ever; And praised be his name to generation and generation. Hitherto are the words of Simon, son of Jesus, who is called Ben Sira. The Wisdom of Simon, son of Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sira. Be the name of the Lord blessed henceforth and for ever.
Ἐργάζεσθε τὸ ἔργον ὑμῶν πρὸ καιροῦ, καὶ δώσει τὸν μισθὸν ὑμῶν ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ.
Work your work betimes, And in his time he will give you your reward.