Sirach 50

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
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 It was the High Priest Simon son of Onias who repaired the Temple during his lifetime and in his day fortified the sanctuary.
2 And by him was built from the foundation the double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple:	2 He laid the foundations of double depth, the high buttresses of 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 day the pool was excavated, a reservoir as huge as the sea.
4 He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified the city against besieging:	4 Anxious to save the people from ruin, he fortified the city against siege.
5 How was he honoured in the midst of the people in his coming out of the sanctuary!	5 How splendid he was with the people thronging round him, when he emerged from the curtained shrine,
6 He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full:	6 like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon at the ful ,
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 on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming against bril iant 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:	8 like a rose in springtime, like a lily by a spring, like a branch of the incense tree 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 fire and incense in the censer, like a massive golden vessel encrusted with every kind of preciousstone,
10 And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which groweth up to the clouds.	10 like an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress soaring 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.	11 when he took his ceremonial robe and put on his magnificent ornaments, when he went up to the holyaltar and fil ed the sanctuary precincts with his grandeur;
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 portions from the hands of the priests, himself standing by the altar hearth,crowned with the circle of his brothers, as a cedar of Lebanon is by its foliage, as though surrounded by thetrunks of palm trees.
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 When all the sons of Aaron in their glory, with the offerings of the Lord in their hands, stood before thewhole assembly of Israel,
14 And finishing the service at the altar, that he might adorn the offering of the most high Almighty,	14 while he completed the rites at the altars, nobly presenting the offerings to the Almighty, 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 He would reach out his hand to the cup and pour a libation of wine, pouring it at the foot of the altar, afragrance pleasing to 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.	16 then the sons of Aaron would shout and blow their metal trumpets, making a mighty sound ring out asa 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 and immediately the people al together would fal on their faces to the ground, in adoration of theirLord, the Almighty, God Most High,
18 The singers also sang praises with their voices, with great variety of sounds was there made sweet melody.	18 and with the cantors chanting their hymns of praise. Sweet was the melody of al these voices,
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 as the people pleaded with the Lord Most High and prayed in the presence of the Merciful, until theservice of the Lord was completed and the ceremony at an end.
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 he would come down and raise his hands over the whole assembly of the Israelites, to give themthe Lord's blessing from his lips, being privileged to pronounce his name;
21 And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the most High.	21 and once again the people would bow low to receive 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 al things, the doer of great deeds everywhere, who has exalted our daysfrom the womb and has acted merciful y towards us.
23 He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever:	23 May he grant us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time, in Israel for ages on ages.
24 That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!	24 May his mercy be faithfully with us, may he redeem us in our own times!
25 There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and the third is no nation:	25 There are two nations that my soul detests, the third is not a nation at al :
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 the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the stupid people living at 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 Instruction in wisdom and knowledge is what has been written in this book by Jesus son of SiraEleazar of Jerusalem, who has poured a rain of wisdom from his heart.
28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.	28 Blessed is he who devotes his time to these and grows wise by taking 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 practises them he will be strong enough for anything, since the light of the Lord is his path.