Sirach 50

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 Simon, the high priest, son of Onias: in his life, he propped up the house, and in his days, he strengthened the temple.
2 And by him was built from the foundation the double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple:	2 Even the height of the temple was established by him: the double building and the high walls of the temple.
3 In his days the cistern to receive water, being in compass as the sea, was covered with plates of brass:	3 In his days, waters flowed out from the wells, and these were full beyond measure, like the sea.
4 He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified the city against besieging:	4 He cared for his nation, and he freed it from perdition.
5 How was he honoured in the midst of the people in his coming out of the sanctuary!	5 He prevailed, so as to enlarge the city. And he obtained glory by his behavior among the people. And he enlarged the entrance of the house and of the atrium.
6 He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full:	6 He shined in his days like the morning star through the midst of a cloud, and like the full moon.
7 As the sun shining upon the temple of the most High, and as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds:	7 And he shined forth in the temple of God in this manner: like the sun when it shines brightly,
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 and like a rainbow shining amid clouds of glory, and like flowering roses in the days of spring, and like lilies along the water’s edge, and like sweet smelling frankincense in the days of 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 a fire shining brightly, and like frankincense burning within a fire,
10 And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which groweth up to the clouds.	10 like a vessel of solid gold, adorned with every precious stone,
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 like an olive tree producing buds, and like a cypress tree lifting itself on high, when he received the robe of glory and was vested with the consummation of virtue.
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 He gave glory to the vestment of sanctity, when he ascended to the holy altar.
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 Then, when he received the portions from the hands of the priests, he himself stood next to the altar. And around him was the crown of his brethren, like a cedar planted on a mountain of Lebanon.
14 And finishing the service at the altar, that he might adorn the offering of the most high Almighty,	14 And they stood around him like palm branches, and all were sons of Aaron in their glory.
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 Then the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, in the sight of the entire synagogue of Israel. And completing his service at the altar, so as to magnify the offering to the Most High King,
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 he extended his hand to make a libation, and he offered from the blood of the grape.
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 At the base of the altar, he poured out a divine fragrance to the Most High Prince.
18 The singers also sang praises with their voices, with great variety of sounds was there made sweet melody.	18 Then the sons of Aaron shouted; they sounded finely-made trumpets, and they made a great noise, as a memorial in the sight of God.
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 Then all the people at once hurried forward, and they fell to the ground on their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to offer prayers to Almighty God Most High.
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 And the singers of Psalms raised their voices, and a full sweet sound increased in the great house.
21 And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the most High.	21 And the people petitioned the Most High Lord in prayer, even until the honor of the Lord was completed, and they finished offering their gifts.
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 Then, descending, he extended his hands over the entire congregation of the sons of Israel, to give glory to God from his lips, and to glory in his name.
23 He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever:	23 And he repeated his prayer, wanting to reveal the virtue of God.
24 That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!	24 And now, pray to the God of all, who has accomplished great things over all the earth, who has increased our days from our mother’s womb, and who has acted toward us in accord with his mercy.
25 There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and the third is no nation:	25 May he give us joyfulness in heart, and may there be peace in our days, in Israel for unending days,
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 so that Israel may trust the mercy of God to be with us, in order to free us in his days.
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 Two nations my soul hates, and a third, which I hate, is not a nation:
28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.	28 those who sit upon mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people who live at Shechem.
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 Jesus, the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, who renewed wisdom from his heart, wrote the doctrine of wisdom and discipline in this book.
	30 Blessed is he who lives by these good things. Whoever places these things in his heart will be ever wise.
	31 For if he does these things, he will prevail in all things. For the light of God is upon his footsteps.