Sir 50:1 Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life
repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the temple:
Sir 50:2 And by him was built from the foundation the double height, the
high fortress of the wall about the temple:
Sir 50:3 In his days the cistern to receive water, being in compass as the
sea, was covered with plates of brass:
Sir 50:4 He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified
the city against besieging:
Sir 50:5 How was he honoured in the midst of the people in his coming out of
the sanctuary!
Sir 50:6 He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon
at the full:
Sir 50:7 As the sun shining upon the temple of the most High, and as the
rainbow giving light in the bright clouds:
Sir 50:8 And as the flower of roses in the spring of the year, as lilies by
the rivers of waters, and as the branches of the frankincense tree in the
time of summer:
Sir 50:9 As fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessel of beaten gold
set with all manner of precious stones:
Sir 50:10 And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress
tree which groweth up to the clouds.
Sir 50:11 When he put on the robe of honour, and was clothed with the
perfection of glory, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the garment
of holiness honourable.
Sir 50:12 When he took the portions out of the priests' hands, he himself
stood by the hearth of the altar, compassed about, as a young cedar in
Libanus; and as palm trees compassed they him round about.
Sir 50:13 So were all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and the oblations of
the Lord in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel.
Sir 50:14 And finishing the service at the altar, that he might adorn the
offering of the most high Almighty,
Sir 50:15 He stretched out his hand to the cup, and poured of the blood of
the grape, he poured out at the foot of the altar a sweetsmelling savour
unto the most high King of all.
Sir 50:16 Then shouted the sons of Aaron, and sounded the silver trumpets,
and made a great noise to be heard, for a remembrance before the most High.
Sir 50:17 Then all the people together hasted, and fell down to the earth
upon their faces to worship their Lord God Almighty, the most High.
Sir 50:18 The singers also sang praises with their voices, with great
variety of sounds was there made sweet melody.
Sir 50:19 And the people besought the Lord, the most High, by prayer before
him that is merciful, till the solemnity of the Lord was ended, and they had
finished his service.
Sir 50:20 Then he went down, and lifted up his hands over the whole
congregation of the children of Israel, to give the blessing of the Lord
with his lips, and to rejoice in his name.
Sir 50:21 And they bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that
they might receive a blessing from the most High.
Sir 50:22 Now therefore bless ye the God of all, which only doeth wondrous
things every where, which exalteth our days from the womb, and dealeth with
us according to his mercy.
Sir 50:23 He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days
in Israel for ever:
Sir 50:24 That he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his
time!
Sir 50:25 There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and the
third is no nation:
Sir 50:26 They that sit upon the mountain of Samaria, and they that dwell
among the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
Sir 50:27 Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem hath written in this book the
instruction of understanding and knowledge, who out of his heart poured
forth wisdom.
Sir 50:28 Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; and he that
layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.
Sir 50:29 For if he do them, he shall be strong to all things: for the light
of the Lord leadeth him, who giveth wisdom to the godly. Blessed be the name
of the Lord for ever. Amen, Amen.