Sirach 45

1Beloved by God and men was Moses, whose memory is for blessing.

2God honored him, and strengthened him in the heights.

3At his word the signs came quickly, and he strengthened him before a king. He commanded him concerning the people, and showed him his glory.

4In his faithfulness and humility, he chose him from all flesh.

5He let him hear his voice, and brought him near into the dark cloud. He placed in his hand the commandment, a law of life and understanding, to teach Jacob his statutes, and Israel his testimonies and judgments.

6He exalted Aaron, a holy one like himself, from the tribe of Levi, and made him an everlasting statute.

7He put splendor upon him and ministered to him with his glory; he girded him with the horns of a wild ox and clothed him with bells.

8He clothed him with perfect splendor, and adorned him with glory and strength, with trousers, tunics, and a robe; and he encircled him with bells.

9and pomegranates in abundance all around, to make melody at his steps.

10holy garments of gold, blue, and purple, the work of a designer; a breastpiece of judgment, an ephod and a sash, and scarlet yarn, the work of a weaver.

11precious stones upon the breastpiece, engraved like a seal in their settings—every precious stone as a memorial, engraved with writing according to the number of the sons of Israel.

12splendor of glory and praise of strength, delight of the eyes and perfection of beauty.

13Before him there had not been such garments, and no foreigner will ever wear them; only his sons and his descendants throughout their generations.

14His grain offering shall be burned up whole, every day, twice a day.

15Moses ordained him and anointed him with holy oil. It became for him an everlasting covenant, and for his offspring, for as long as the heavens endure.

16to minister and to serve as priest to him, and to bless his people in his name. He chose him from among all the living to present burnt offerings and fat portions.

17And he gave him his commandments, and granted him authority in statute and judgment, to teach Jacob his testimonies and to enlighten Israel with his law.

18Strangers grew angry with him, and in the wilderness they were jealous of him—men of Dathan and Abiram, and the company of Korah, in fury and wrath.

19The men of Dathan and Abiram, and the company of Korah in the strength of their anger— Yahweh saw and was enraged, and he consumed them in the heat of his anger.

20And he added honor to Aaron, and gave him his inheritance.

21He gave him the choicest holy bread; they shall eat the food offerings of Yahweh. The bread of the Presence is his portion, a gift to him and to his offspring.

22But in their land he will not inherit, and among them he will not be allotted an inheritance; the offerings of Yahweh are his portion and his inheritance among the sons of Israel.

23And Phinehas son of Eleazar inherited a third place in might, because he was zealous for the God of all and stood in the breach for his people.

24Therefore he also established for him a statute, an everlasting covenant, to sustain the sanctuary.

25And his covenant was with David son of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah: the inheritance of the king is from son to son alone, but the inheritance of Aaron is also for his offspring.

26And now, please bless Yahweh, the good one.