Sirach 50

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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 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 He laid the foundations of double depth, the high buttresses of the Temple precincts.	2 In his time also the wall was built with powerful turrets for the temple precincts;
3 In his day the pool was excavated, a reservoir as huge as the sea.	3 In his time the reservoir was dug, the pool with a vastness like the sea's.
4 Anxious to save the people from ruin, he fortified the city against siege.	4 He protected his people against brigands and strengthened his city against the enemy.
5 How splendid he was with the people thronging round him, when he emerged from the curtained shrine,	5 How splendid he was as he appeared from the tent, as he came from within the veil!
6 like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon at the ful ,	6 Like a star shining among the clouds, like the full moon at the holyday season;
7 like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming against bril iant clouds,	7 Like the sun shining upon the temple, like the rainbow appearing in the cloudy sky;
8 like a rose in springtime, like a lily by a spring, like a branch of the incense tree in 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 like fire and incense in the censer, like a massive golden vessel encrusted with every kind of preciousstone,	9 like the fire of incense at the sacrifice; Like a vessel of beaten gold, studded with precious stones;
10 like an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress soaring to the clouds;	10 Like a luxuriant olive tree thick with fruit, like a cypress standing against the clouds;
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 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 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 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 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 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 while he completed the rites at the altars, nobly presenting the offerings to the Almighty, Most High!	14 Once he had completed the services at the altar with the arranging of the sacrifices for the Most High,
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 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 the sons of Aaron would shout and blow their metal trumpets, making a mighty sound ring out asa reminder 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 and immediately the people al together would fal on their faces to the ground, in adoration of theirLord, the Almighty, God 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 and with the cantors chanting their hymns of praise. Sweet was the melody of al these voices,	18 Then hymns would re-echo, and over the throng sweet strains of praise resound.
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 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 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;	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 once again the people would bow low to receive the blessing of the Most High.	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 al things, the doer of great deeds everywhere, who has exalted our daysfrom the womb and has acted merciful y towards us.	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 us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time, in Israel for ages on ages.	23 May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you;
24 May his mercy be faithfully with us, may he redeem us in our own times!	24 May his goodness toward us endure in Israel as long as the heavens are above.
25 There are two nations that my soul detests, the third is not a nation at al :	25 My whole being loathes two nations, the third is not even a people:
26 the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the stupid people living at Shechem.	26 Those who live in Seir and Philistia, and the degenerate folk who dwell in 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.	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 who devotes his time to these and grows wise by taking them to heart!	28 Happy the man who meditates upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart!
29 If he practises them he will be strong enough for anything, since the light of the Lord is his path.	29 If he puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear of the LORD is his lamp.