Sirach 36: 1-22

Sirach 36: 1-22

A Prayer for God’s People

Come to our aid, O God of the universe,

and put all the nations in dread of you!

Raise your hand against the foreign people,

that they may see your mighty deeds.

As you have used us to show them your holiness,

so now use them to show us your glory.

Thus, they will know, as we know,

that there is no God but you.

Give new signs and work new wonders;

show forth the splendor of your right hand and arm.

Rouse your anger, pour out wrath;

humble the enemy, scatter the foe.a

Hasten the ending, appoint the time,

and let people proclaim your mighty deeds.

Let raging fire consume the fugitive,

and your people’s oppressors meet destruction.

Crush the heads of the hostile rulers

who say, “There is no one besides me.”

Gather all the tribes of Jacob,

that they may inherit the land as in days of old.

Show mercy to the people called by your name:

Israel, whom you named your firstborn.

Take pity on your holy city:

Jerusalem, your dwelling place.

Fill Zion with your majesty,

your temple with your glory.

Give evidence of your deeds of old;

fulfill the prophecies spoken in your name.

Reward those who have hoped in you,

and let your prophets be proved true.

Hear the prayer of your servants,

according to your good will toward your people.

Thus all the ends of the earth will know

that you are the eternal God.