Sirach 50

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
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.	1 The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer:
2 In his time also the wall was built with powerful turrets for the temple precincts;	2 His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine.
3 In his time the reservoir was dug, the pool with a vastness like the sea's.	3 He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.
4 He protected his people against brigands and strengthened his city against the enemy.	4 And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
5 How splendid he was as he appeared from the tent, as he came from within the veil!	5 Except David, and Ezechias, and Josias, all committed sin.
6 Like a star shining among the clouds, like the full moon at the holyday season;	6 For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God.
7 Like the sun shining upon the temple, like the rainbow appearing in the cloudy sky;	7 So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation.
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,	8 They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.
9 like the fire of incense at the sacrifice; Like a vessel of beaten gold, studded with precious stones;	9 For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother's womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew.
10 Like a luxuriant olive tree thick with fruit, like a cypress standing against the clouds;	10 It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims.
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.	11 For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.
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;	12 And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith.
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.	13 How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand;
14 Once he had completed the services at the altar with the arranging of the sacrifices for the Most High,	14 In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec? who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
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,	15 And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses.
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.	16 No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth.
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.	17 Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people:
18 Then hymns would re-echo, and over the throng sweet strains of praise resound.	18 And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied.
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;	19 Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning.
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 Then again the people would lie prostrate to receive from him the blessing of the Most High.
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 May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you;
24 May his goodness toward us endure in Israel as long as the heavens are above.
25 My whole being loathes two nations, the third is not even a people:
26 Those who live in Seir and Philistia, and the degenerate folk who dwell in Shechem.
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 Happy the man who meditates upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart!
29 If he puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear of the LORD is his lamp.