Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Simon son of Onias, the high priest, who in his lifetime repaired the house, and in his days made the temple strong,
2| and by him the double height was founded, the high retaining wall of the temple precinct,
3| in his days the reservoir of waters was dug out, a basin like the sea in circumference,
4| he who took thought for his people against ruin, and strengthened the city against siege.
5| How glorious he was as the people gathered round him, as he came out from the house of the veil,
6| like the morning star among the clouds, like the full moon in the days of feast,
7| like the sun blazing out over the Most High's sanctuary, and like a rainbow arching in clouds of glory,
8| like a rose in bloom in the days of spring, like lilies by a flowing spring, like a shoot of Lebanon in the days of summer,
9| like fire and frankincense upon the censer, like a vessel of gold hammered solid and adorned with every precious stone,
10| like an olive tree flourishing with fruit, and like a cypress towering into the clouds —
11| when he put on his robe of glory and clothed himself in the fullness of splendor, as he climbed toward the sacred altar he brought glory to the vesture of holiness.
12| And when he received the portions from the hands of the priests, he himself standing beside the hearth of the altar, with his brothers crowned around him like a circle of cedar shoots on Lebanon, they surrounded him like trunks of palm trees,
13| and all the sons of Aaron in their splendor, with the Lord's offering in their hands, before the whole assembly of Israel,
14| bringing the ministry at the altars to its completion, to adorn the offering of the Most High, the Almighty,
15| he stretched out his hand over the libation cup, and poured a drink offering from the blood of the grape, emptying it down at the altar's base, a fragrant odor to the Most High, the King of all.
16| Then the sons of Aaron cried aloud, they sounded on beaten trumpets, they made a great voice heard as a memorial before the Most High.
17| Then all the people together made haste, and fell upon their faces to the ground to worship their Lord, the Almighty God, the Most High.
18| And the singers praised him with their voices, in the vast house the melody was made sweet.
19| And the people entreated the Lord Most High in prayer before the Merciful One, until the order of the Lord's worship was completed and they had finished his service.
20| Then he came down and raised his hands over the whole assembly of the sons of Israel, to speak forth the Lord's blessing from his own lips, taking glory in pronouncing his name,
21| and he repeated it a second time, bowing down to display the blessing from the Most High.
22| And now bless God, all of you, who does great things everywhere, who exalts our days from the womb, and deals with us according to his mercy.
23| May he give you gladness of heart, and may there be peace in our days in Israel, as in the days of old,
24| may he entrust his mercy to us, and in his own days may he redeem us.
25| At two nations my soul is disgusted, and the third is not even a nation:
26| those who live on the mountain of Samaria, the Philistines, and the foolish people who dwell in Shechem.
27| Instruction in understanding and knowledge I have inscribed in this book, Jesus son of Sirach, son of Eleazar, the man of Jerusalem, who poured forth wisdom from his heart.
28| Blessed is he who occupies himself with these things, and he who lays them to heart will become wise;
29| for if he does them, he will have strength for everything, because the Lord's own light illumines his path.