Sirach 50

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the temple:	1 The greatest among his brethren, the glory of his people, was SIMON the priest, son of Jochanan, In whose time the house of God was renovated, in whose days the temple was reinforced.
2 And by him was built from the foundation the double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple:	2 In his time also the wall was built with powerful turrets for the temple precincts;
3 In his days the cistern to receive water, being in compass as the sea, was covered with plates of brass:	3 In his time the reservoir was dug, the pool with a vastness like the sea's.
4 He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified the city against besieging:	4 He protected his people against brigands and strengthened his city against the enemy.
5 How was he honoured in the midst of the people in his coming out of the sanctuary!	5 How splendid he was as he appeared from the tent, as he came from within the veil!
6 He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full:	6 Like a star shining among the clouds, like the full moon at the holyday season;
7 As the sun shining upon the temple of the most High, and as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds:	7 Like the sun shining upon the temple, like the rainbow appearing in the cloudy sky;
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:	8 Like the blossoms on the branches in springtime, like a lily on the banks of a stream; Like the trees of Lebanon in summer,
9 As fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessel of beaten gold set with all manner of precious stones:	9 like the fire of incense at the sacrifice; Like a vessel of beaten gold, studded with precious stones;
10 And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which groweth up to the clouds.	10 Like a luxuriant olive tree thick with fruit, like a cypress standing against 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.	11 Vested in his magnificent robes, and wearing his garments of splendor, As he ascended the glorious altar and lent majesty to the court of the sanctuary.
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.	12 When he received the sundered victims from the priests while he stood before the sacrificial wood, His brethren ringed him about like a garland, like a stand of cedars on Lebanon;
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.	13 All the sons of Aaron in their dignity clustered around him like poplars, With the offerings to the LORD in their hands, in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel.
14 And finishing the service at the altar, that he might adorn the offering of the most high Almighty,	14 Once he had completed the services at the altar with the arranging of the sacrifices for the Most High,
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.	15 And had stretched forth his hand for the cup, to offer blood of the grape, And poured it out at the foot of the altar, a sweet-smelling odor to the Most High God,
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.	16 The sons of Aaron would sound a blast, the priests, on their trumpets of beaten metal; A blast to resound mightily as a reminder 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.	17 Then all the people with one accord would quickly fall prostrate to the ground In adoration before the Most High, before the Holy One of Israel.
18 The singers also sang praises with their voices, with great variety of sounds was there made sweet melody.	18 Then hymns would re-echo, and over the throng sweet strains of praise resound.
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.	19 All the people of the land would shout for joy, praying to the Merciful One, As the high priest completed the services at the altar by presenting to God the sacrifice due;
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.	20 Then coming down he would raise his hands over all the congregation of Israel. The blessing of the LORD would be upon his lips, the name of the LORD would be his glory.
21 And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the most High.	21 Then again the people would lie prostrate to receive from him the blessing of 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.	22 And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters men's growth from their mother's womb, and fashions them according to his will!
23 He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever:	23 May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you;
24 That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!	24 May his goodness toward us endure in Israel as long as the heavens are above.
25 There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and the third is no nation:	25 My whole being loathes two nations, the third is not even a people:
26 They that sit upon the mountain of Samaria, and they that dwell among the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem.	26 Those who live in Seir and Philistia, and the degenerate folk who dwell in Shechem.
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.	27 Wise instruction, appropriate proverbs, I have written in this book, I, Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, as they gushed forth from my heart's understanding.
28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.	28 Happy the man who meditates upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart!
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.	29 If he puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear of the LORD is his lamp.