Sirach 50

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 Simon, the high priest, son of Onias: in his life, he propped up the house, and in his days, he strengthened the temple.
2 In his time also the wall was built with powerful turrets for 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 time the reservoir was dug, the pool with a vastness like the sea's.	3 In his days, waters flowed out from the wells, and these were full beyond measure, like the sea.
4 He protected his people against brigands and strengthened his city against the enemy.	4 He cared for his nation, and he freed it from perdition.
5 How splendid he was as he appeared from the tent, as he came from within the veil!	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 a star shining among the clouds, like the full moon at the holyday season;	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 upon the temple, like the rainbow appearing in the cloudy sky;	7 And he shined forth in the temple of God in this manner: like the sun when it shines brightly,
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 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 the fire of incense at the sacrifice; Like a vessel of beaten gold, studded with precious stones;	9 like a fire shining brightly, and like frankincense burning within a fire,
10 Like a luxuriant olive tree thick with fruit, like a cypress standing against the clouds;	10 like a vessel of solid gold, adorned with every precious stone,
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 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 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 He gave glory to the vestment of sanctity, when he ascended to the holy altar.
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 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 Once he had completed the services at the altar with the arranging of the sacrifices for the Most High,	14 And they stood around him like palm branches, and all were sons of Aaron in their 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 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 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 he extended his hand to make a libation, and he offered from the blood of the grape.
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 At the base of the altar, he poured out a divine fragrance to the Most High Prince.
18 Then hymns would re-echo, and over the throng sweet strains of praise resound.	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 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 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 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.	20 And the singers of Psalms raised their voices, and a full sweet sound increased in the great house.
21 Then again the people would lie prostrate to receive from him 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 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!	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 you joy of heart and may peace abide among you;	23 And he repeated his prayer, wanting to reveal the virtue of God.
24 May his goodness toward us endure in Israel as long as the heavens are above.	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 My whole being loathes two nations, the third is not even a people:	25 May he give us joyfulness in heart, and may there be peace in our days, in Israel for unending days,
26 Those who live in Seir and Philistia, and the degenerate folk who dwell in Shechem.	26 so that Israel may trust the mercy of God to be with us, in order to free us in his days.
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.	27 Two nations my soul hates, and a third, which I hate, is not a nation:
28 Happy the man who meditates upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart!	28 those who sit upon mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people who live at Shechem.
29 If he puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear of the LORD is his lamp.	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.