Simon Son of Onias
1 The greatest of his brothers and the pride of his people was the High Priest Simon son of Onias, who repaired the Temple 2 and laid the foundation for the high double wall and the fortifications of the Temple. 3 The reservoir, as big as the bronze tank, was dug while he was in office. 4 He made plans to protect his people from attack and fortified the city so that it could withstand a siege.
5 How glorious he was when he came out of the Most Holy Place! 6 He was like the morning star shining through the clouds, like the full moon, 7 like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming in glory against the clouds, 8 like roses in springtime, like lilies beside a stream, like the cedars of Lebanon in summer, 9 like burning incense, like a cup made of hammered gold and decorated with all kinds of jewels, 10 like an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress tree towering into the clouds.
11 When Simon put on his magnificent robe and went up to the holy altar dressed in perfect splendor, he made the Temple courtyard a majestic sight. 12 When the priests handed him the portions of the sacrifice as he stood beside the altar with his assistants circling him like a wreath, he was like a young cedar of Lebanon surrounded by palm trees. 13 Those were the descendants of Aaron in their splendid garments, standing before the whole assembly of Israel, holding in their hands the offering made to the Lord. 14 When he had finished the service at the altar and had arranged the sacrifice to the Most High, the Almighty, 15 he reached for a cup and poured out sweet-smelling wine at the foot of the altar as an offering to the Most High, the universal King. 16 Then the priests shouted and blew their trumpets of hammered silver. They made a loud noise that the Most High would hear. 17 All the people immediately bowed down with their faces to the ground to worship their Lord, the Almighty, the Most High. 18 Then the choir began to sing his praises, and the beautiful music rang out. 19 The people kept praying to the merciful Lord Most High until the service of worship had come to a close. 20 Then Simon came down from the altar, raised his hands over the whole assembly of Israel, and reverently pronounced the blessing from the Lord, 21 while the people bowed a second time in worship to receive that blessing from the Most High.
A Benediction
22 Now then, give praise to the God of the universe, who has done great things everywhere, who brings us up from the time we are born, and deals with us mercifully. 23 May he give us happiness and allow us to have peace in Israel forever. 24 May he continue his mercy to us and rescue us in our time of need.
Three Hated Nations
25 There are two nations that I detest, and a third that does not even deserve to be called a nation. 26 These are the Edomites, the inhabitants of the Philistine cities, and the stupid Samaritans.
The Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach
27 I, Jesus son of Sirach Eleazar of Jerusalem, put all my wisdom into writing this book to provide instruction and knowledge for others. 28 May God bless everyone who gives attention to these teachings. Whoever takes them to heart will become wise. 29 Whoever lives by them will be strong enough for any occasion, because he will be walking in the light of the Lord.
1 Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the temple:
2 And by him was built from the foundation the double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple:
3 In his days the cistern to receive water, being in compass as the sea, was covered with plates of brass:
4 He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified the city against besieging:
5 How was he honoured in the midst of the people in his coming out of the sanctuary!
6 He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full:
7 As the sun shining upon the temple of the most High, and as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds:
8 And as the flower of roses in the spring of the year, as lilies by the rivers of waters, and as the branches of the frankincense tree in the time of summer:
9 As fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessel of beaten gold set with all manner of precious stones:
10 And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which groweth up to the clouds.
11 When he put on the robe of honour, and was clothed with the perfection of glory, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the garment of holiness honourable.
12 When he took the portions out of the priests’ hands, he himself stood by the hearth of the altar, compassed about, as a young cedar in Libanus; and as palm trees compassed they him round about.
13 So were all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and the oblations of the Lord in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel.
14 And finishing the service at the altar, that he might adorn the offering of the most high Almighty,
15 He stretched out his hand to the cup, and poured of the blood of the grape, he poured out at the foot of the altar a sweetsmelling savour unto the most high King of all.
16 Then shouted the sons of Aaron, and sounded the silver trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard, for a remembrance before the most High.
17 Then all the people together hasted, and fell down to the earth upon their faces to worship their Lord God Almighty, the most High.
18 The singers also sang praises with their voices, with great variety of sounds was there made sweet melody.
19 And the people besought the Lord, the most High, by prayer before him that is merciful, till the solemnity of the Lord was ended, and they had finished his service.
20 Then he went down, and lifted up his hands over the whole congregation of the children of Israel, to give the blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to rejoice in his name.
21 And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the most High.
22 Now therefore bless ye the God of all, which only doeth wondrous things every where, which exalteth our days from the womb, and dealeth with us according to his mercy.
23 He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever:
24 That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!
25 There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and the third is no nation:
26 They that sit upon the mountain of Samaria, and they that dwell among the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
27 Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem hath written in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge, who out of his heart poured forth wisdom.
28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.
29 For if he do them, he shall be strong to all things: for the light of the Lord leadeth him, who giveth wisdom to the godly. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. Amen, Amen.