A Prayer of Thanksgiving

1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, King, and will praise you, God my Savior. I give thanks to your name, 2 for you have been my protector and helper, and rescued my body from destruction, and out of the snare of a slanderous tongue, from lips that fabricate lies. You were my helper before those who stood by, 3 and rescued me, according to the abundance of your mercy and of your name, from grinding teeth ready to devour, out of the hand of those seeking my life, out of the many distresses I endured, 4 from the choking of a fire on every side, and out of the middle of fire that I hadn’t lit, 5 out of the depth of the belly of Hades, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, 6 the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king. My soul came near to death. My life was near to Hades. 7 They surrounded me on every side. There was no one to help me. I was looking for human help, and there was none.

8 Then I remembered your mercy, Lord, and your work that has continued from eternity, how you rescue those who wait for you, and save them out of the hand of their enemies. 9 I lifted up my prayer from the earth, and prayed for rescue from death. 10 I called on the Lord, the Father of my Lord, asking him not to abandon me in the days of distress, in the time when there was no help against the proud. 11 I will praise your name continually. I will sing praise with thanksgiving. My prayer was heard. 12 You saved me from destruction and rescued me from the evil time. Therefore I will give thanks and praise to you, and bless the name of the Lord.

The Search for Wisdom

13 When I was still young, before I went abroad, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.⁠a 14 Before the temple I asked for her. I will seek her out even to the end. 15 From the first flower to the ripening grape my heart delighted in her. My foot walked in uprightness. From my youth I followed her steps. 16 I turned my ear a little, and received her, and found for myself much instruction. 17 I benefited in her. I will give glory to him who gives me wisdom. 18 For I determined to put her into practice. I was passionate about what is good. I will never be put to shame. 19 My soul has wrestled with her. I was meticulous in my conduct. I spread out my hands to the sky above, and lamented my ignorance of her. 20 I directed my soul to her. In purity I found her. I gained a heart joined with her from the beginning. Therefore I won’t be abandoned. 21 My belly was also troubled as I sought her. Therefore I have gained a good possession. 22 The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward. I will praise him with it.

An Invitation to Learn

23 Come close to me, all you who are uneducated, and live in the house of instruction.⁠b 24 Why then do you all lack these things, and why are your souls so thirsty? 25 I opened my mouth and spoke, “Get her for yourselves without money.” 26 Put your neck under the yoke,⁠c and let your soul receive instruction. She is near enough to be found.⁠d 27 See with your eyes how I worked just a little and found for myself much rest. 28 Get instruction with a large amount of silver, and gain much gold by her. 29 May your soul be glad in his mercy, and may none of you be put to shame in praising him. 30 Do your work before the time comes, and in his time he will give you your reward.