Sirach 50

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 It was the High Priest Simon son of Onias who repaired the Temple during his lifetime and in his day fortified the sanctuary.	1 The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer:
2 He laid the foundations of double depth, the high buttresses of 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 day the pool was excavated, a reservoir as huge as the sea.	3 He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.
4 Anxious to save the people from ruin, he fortified the city against siege.	4 And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
5 How splendid he was with the people thronging round him, when he emerged from the curtained shrine,	5 Except David, and Ezechias, and Josias, all committed sin.
6 like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon at the ful ,	6 For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God.
7 like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming against bril iant clouds,	7 So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation.
8 like a rose in springtime, like a lily by a spring, like a branch of the incense tree in summer,	8 They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.
9 like fire and incense in the censer, like a massive golden vessel encrusted with every kind of preciousstone,	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 an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress soaring to the clouds;	10 It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims.
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;	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 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.	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 When all the sons of Aaron in their glory, with the offerings of the Lord in their hands, stood before thewhole assembly of Israel,	13 How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand;
14 while he completed the rites at the altars, nobly presenting the offerings to the Almighty, 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 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;	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 then the sons of Aaron would shout and blow their metal trumpets, making a mighty sound ring out asa reminder before the Most High;	16 No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth.
17 and immediately the people al together would fal on their faces to the ground, in adoration of theirLord, the Almighty, God Most High,	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 and with the cantors chanting their hymns of praise. Sweet was the melody of al these voices,	18 And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied.
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.	19 Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning.
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 once again the people would bow low to receive the blessing of the Most High.
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 May he grant us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time, in Israel for ages on ages.
24 May his mercy be faithfully with us, may he redeem us in our own times!
25 There are two nations that my soul detests, the third is not a nation at al :
26 the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the stupid people living at Shechem.
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 who devotes his time to these and grows wise by taking them to heart!
29 If he practises them he will be strong enough for anything, since the light of the Lord is his path.