Sirach 50

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Simon, the high priest, son of Onias: in his life, he propped up the house, and in his days, he strengthened the temple.	1 The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer:
2 Even the height of the temple was established by him: the double building and the high walls of the temple.	2 His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine.
3 In his days, waters flowed out from the wells, and these were full beyond measure, like the sea.	3 He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.
4 He cared for his nation, and he freed it from perdition.	4 And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
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.	5 Except David, and Ezechias, and Josias, all committed sin.
6 He shined in his days like the morning star through the midst of a cloud, and like the full moon.	6 For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God.
7 And he shined forth in the temple of God in this manner: like the sun when it shines brightly,	7 So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation.
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,	8 They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.
9 like a fire shining brightly, and like frankincense burning within a fire,	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 vessel of solid gold, adorned with every precious stone,	10 It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims.
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.	11 For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.
12 He gave glory to the vestment of sanctity, when he ascended to the holy altar.	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 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.	13 How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand;
14 And they stood around him like palm branches, and all were sons of Aaron in their glory.	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 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,	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 he extended his hand to make a libation, and he offered from the blood of the grape.	16 No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth.
17 At the base of the altar, he poured out a divine fragrance to the Most High Prince.	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 the sons of Aaron shouted; they sounded finely-made trumpets, and they made a great noise, as a memorial in the sight of God.	18 And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied.
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.	19 Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning.
20 And the singers of Psalms raised their voices, and a full sweet sound increased in the great house.
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 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 And he repeated his prayer, wanting to reveal the virtue of God.
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 May he give us joyfulness in heart, and may there be peace in our days, in Israel for unending days,
26 so that Israel may trust the mercy of God to be with us, in order to free us in his days.
27 Two nations my soul hates, and a third, which I hate, is not a nation:
28 those who sit upon mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people who live at Shechem.
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.