Isaiah 19

1 He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince. 2 Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God. 3 Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High. 4 And the singers lifted up their voices, and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased. 5 And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office. 6 Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name: 7 And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God. 8 And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother’s womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy. 9 May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever: 10 That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days. 11 There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation: which I hate: 12 They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem. 13 Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart. 14 Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always. 15 For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps. 17 A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. 18 I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me. 19 And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. 20 And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. 21 Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: 22 From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. 23 From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue: 24 My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. 25 And my life was drawing near to hell beneath.