Sirach 50

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 Simon, the high priest, son of Onias: in his life, he propped up the house, and in his days, he strengthened the temple.
2 He laid the foundations of double depth, the high buttresses of the Temple precincts.	2 Even the height of the temple was established by him: the double building and the high walls of the temple.
3 In his day the pool was excavated, a reservoir as huge as the sea.	3 In his days, waters flowed out from the wells, and these were full beyond measure, like the sea.
4 Anxious to save the people from ruin, he fortified the city against siege.	4 He cared for his nation, and he freed it from perdition.
5 How splendid he was with the people thronging round him, when he emerged from the curtained shrine,	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 like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon at the ful ,	6 He shined in his days like the morning star through the midst of a cloud, and like the full moon.
7 like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming against bril iant clouds,	7 And he shined forth in the temple of God in this manner: like the sun when it shines brightly,
8 like a rose in springtime, like a lily by a spring, like a branch of the incense tree in 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 like fire and incense in the censer, like a massive golden vessel encrusted with every kind of preciousstone,	9 like a fire shining brightly, and like frankincense burning within a fire,
10 like an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress soaring to the clouds;	10 like a vessel of solid gold, adorned with every precious stone,
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 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 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 He gave glory to the vestment of sanctity, when he ascended to the holy altar.
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 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 while he completed the rites at the altars, nobly presenting the offerings to the Almighty, Most High!	14 And they stood around him like palm branches, and all were sons of Aaron in their 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 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 the sons of Aaron would shout and blow their metal trumpets, making a mighty sound ring out asa reminder before the Most High;	16 he extended his hand to make a libation, and he offered from the blood of the grape.
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 At the base of the altar, he poured out a divine fragrance to the Most High Prince.
18 and with the cantors chanting their hymns of praise. Sweet was the melody of al these voices,	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 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 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 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 And the singers of Psalms raised their voices, and a full sweet sound increased in the great house.
21 and once again the people would bow low to receive the blessing of 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 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 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 May he grant us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time, in Israel for ages on ages.	23 And he repeated his prayer, wanting to reveal the virtue of God.
24 May his mercy be faithfully with us, may he redeem us in our own times!	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 are two nations that my soul detests, the third is not a nation at al :	25 May he give us joyfulness in heart, and may there be peace in our days, in Israel for unending days,
26 the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the stupid people living at Shechem.	26 so that Israel may trust the mercy of God to be with us, in order to free us in his days.
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 Two nations my soul hates, and a third, which I hate, is not a nation:
28 Blessed is he who devotes his time to these and grows wise by taking them to heart!	28 those who sit upon mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people who live at Shechem.
29 If he practises them he will be strong enough for anything, since the light of the Lord is his path.	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.