Chapter 51

  They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.  

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  I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world.  

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  How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.  

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  Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away.  

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  I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.  

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  I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard.  

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  And thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time.  

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  Therefore I will give thanks, and praise thee, and bless the name of the Lord.  

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  When I was yet young, before I wandered about, I sought for wisdom openly in my prayer.  

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  I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.  

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  My heart delighted in her, my foot walked in the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.  

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  I bowed down my ear a little, and received her.  

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  I found much wisdom in myself, and I profited much therein.  

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  To him that giveth me wisdom, will I give glory.  

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  For I have determined to follow her: I have had a zeal for good, and shall not be confounded.  

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  My soul hath wrestled for her, and in doing it I have been confirmed.  

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  I stretched forth my hands on high, and I bewailed my ignorance of her.  

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  I directed my soul to her, and in knowledge I found her.  

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  I possessed my heart with her from the beginning: therefore I shall not be forsaken.  

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  My entrails were troubled in seeking her: therefore shall I possess a good possession.  

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  The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward: and with it I will praise him.  

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  Draw near to me, ye unlearned, and gather yourselves together into the house of discipline.  

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  Why are ye slow? and what do you say of these things? your souls are exceeding thirsty.  

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  I have opened my mouth, and have spoken: buy her for yourselves without silver,  

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  And submit your neck to the yoke, and let your soul receive discipline: for she is near at hand to be found.  

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  Behold with your eyes how I have laboured a little, and have found much rest to myself.  

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  Receive ye discipline as a great sum of money, and possess abundance of gold by her.  

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  Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and you shall not be confounded in his praise.  

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  Work your work before the time, and he will give you your reward in his time.  

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