Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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A Song of Thanksgiving
1
I give you thanks, O Lord and King;
I praise you as my God and Savior.
I give you thanks,
2
for you have helped me and protected me.
You have rescued me from death,
from dangerous lies and slander.
3
You helped me when no one else would;
in your great mercy you saved me
from the many troubles I have known:
from the glaring hatred of my enemies,
who wanted to put an end to my life;
4
from suffocation in oppressive smoke
rising from fires that I did not light;
5
from death itself;
from vicious slander reported to the king.
6
I was once brought face-to-face with death;
7
enemies surrounded me everywhere.
I looked for someone to help me,
but there was no one there.
8
But then, O Lord, I remembered how merciful you are
and what you had done in times past.
I remembered that you rescue those who rely on you,
that you save them from their enemies.
9
Then from here on earth I prayed to you
to rescue me from death.
10
I prayed, “O Lord, you are my father; note
do not abandon me to my troubles
when I am helpless against arrogant enemies.
11
I will always praise you
and sing hymns of thanksgiving.”
You answered my prayer,
12
and saved me from the threat of destruction.
And so I thank you and praise you.
O Lord, I praise you!
The Search for Wisdom
13 When I was still young, before I
started out on my travels, I boldly
prayed for Wisdom.
14 I went to the
Temple and asked for her, and I will
look for her as long as I live.
15 From
my blossoming youth to my ripe old
age she has been my delight. I have
followed directly in her path ever
since I was young.
16 I received Wisdom
as soon as I began listening for
her, and I have been rewarded with
great knowledge.
17 I have always
been a learner and am grateful to
everyone who has been my teacher.
18 I was determined to live wisely
and was devoted to the cause of
goodness. I have no regrets.
19 I
fought for Wisdom and was strict in
my conduct. When I prayed, I sadly
confessed how far short of Wisdom I
fell.
20 But I was determined to have
her, and I found her by keeping myself
free from sin. I have grown in
Wisdom since first I found her, and I
will never be without her.
21 Because
I was driven by the desire to find
her, I have been richly rewarded.
22 The Lord gave me a gift for words,
and I have used it in his praise.
23 Come to me, all you that need
instruction, and learn in my school.
24 Why do you admit that you are ignorant
and do nothing about it?
25 Here is what I say: It costs nothing
to be wise.
26 Put on the yoke, and be
willing to learn. The opportunity is
always near.
27 See for yourselves! I
-- --
have really not studied very hard,
but I have found great contentment.
28 No matter how much it costs you
to get Wisdom, it will be well worth
it.
29 Be joyfully grateful for the
Lord's mercy, and never be ashamed
to praise him.
30 Do your duty at the
proper time, and the Lord, at the
time he thinks proper, will give you
your reward.
-- --
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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