“Gather all the tribes of Jacob!
Give them their inheritance!
As at the beginning,
Have mercy!
O Lord!
On the people called by your name!
Have mercy on Israel!
You have likened them
To your first-born son.
Have pity on the city of your sanctuary!
Have pity on Jerusalem!
The place of your restful dwelling,
Fill Zion with your majesty!
Fill your temple with your glory!
Bear witness
To those whom you created
In the beginning!
Fulfill the prophecies
Spoken in your name!
Reward those who wait for you!
Let your prophets
Be found trustworthy!
Hear!
O Lord!
The prayer of your servants,
According to your good will
Toward your people!
All who are on the earth
Will know
That you are the Lord,
The God of the ages.”
The goal of Sirach and many Israelites was the restoration of Israel, the unification of the tribes of Jacob. They were to get their original inheritance since the Lord had called them as his firstborn son. Jerusalem on Mount Zion was the chosen city for the sanctuary and the temple dwelling of the Lord. Sirach wanted all the trustworthy prophecies fulfilled. The Lord should listen to the prayers of his servants here on earth. They have recognized that the Lord is the God for all ages, but now they want everyone to know this. In this chapter, there is a discrepancy with the numbering of the verses.
