SIRACH'S PRAYER FOR A HAPPY AND TEMPERATE LIFE.

Creator, Father, Prince of might!

Who life to me art giving,

Unless Thou guid'st my life aright

In vain here am I living.

For while I'm living, I am dead,

To sin devoted ever;

Whose life in mire of sin is led,

The true life he hath never

Beheld one moment even.