“I have more on my mind
To express.
I am full
Like the full moon.
Listen to me!
My faithful children!
Blossom like a rose!
May it grow
By a stream of water!
Send out fragrance
Like incense!
Put forth blossoms
Like a lily!
Scatter the fragrance!
Sing a hymn of praise!
Bless the Lord
For all his works!
Ascribe majesty to his name!
Give thanks to him
With praise!
Give thanks
With songs on your lips!
Give thanks
With harps!
This is what
You shall say in thanksgiving.”
Sirach assumes the first person singular in talking to his children. He has a lot more to tell them because his mind is like a full moon. He wanted his children to be like rose blossoms and grow by a water stream. He wanted the scent of the lily blossoms to be like incense that would be scattered around. He wanted them to sing a hymn of praise to the majestic Lord. The Lord should be blessed for all his works. Praise and thanksgiving should be given to the Lord with songs and harps. He was about to tell them what they should say in their thanksgiving prayer.