Sirach 50

1Simon son of Yohanan the priest was the glory of his brothers and the splendor of his people; in his generation the house was repaired, and in his days the temple was strengthened.

2In his days a reservoir was dug out, and a conduit like the sea in its abundance.

3In his days the wall with corner towers was built, a dwelling like a royal palace.

4the one who cares for his people against calamity, and strengthens his city against distress.

5How splendid he was when he looked out from the tent, when he came out from the house of the curtain.

6Like a shining star from among clouds, and like the full moon in the days of the feast.

7Like the sun shining on the palace of the king, and like a rainbow appearing in the cloud.

8like a blossom of Lebanon in the days of summer, and like a fire of frankincense upon the grain offering.

9like a vessel of engraved gold and antimony, fastened onto precious stones.

10like a flourishing olive tree heavy with berries, and like an rich tree drenching its branches.

11When he put on garments of honor and clothed himself in garments of splendor, when he went up to the altar of glory, he adorned the court of the sanctuary.

12When he received the portions from the hand of his brothers, and he stood at his arrangement, around him was a crown of sons, like saplings of cedars in Lebanon; and they surrounded him like willows by a stream—all the sons of Aaron in their splendor.

13and the offerings of Yahweh were in their hands, before all the assembly of Israel.

14until he finished ministering at the altar, and arranging the offerings of the Most High.

15Then the sons of Aaron, the priests, would raise a shout with hammered trumpets.

16And they raised a shout and made a mighty sound heard, to make remembrance before the Most High.

17All flesh together hurried, and they fell on their faces to the ground, to bow down before the Most High, before the Holy One of Israel.

18And the song gave forth its voice, and over the multitude they set his lamp in order.

19And all the people of the land cried out in prayer before the Merciful One, until he finished ministering at the altar and his ordinances reached completion.

20Then he came down and lifted up his hands over all the assembly of Israel, to give the blessing of Yahweh with his lips, and to glory in the name of Yahweh.

21And they bowed down a second time, to receive blessing from before him.

22And now, please bless Yahweh, the God of Israel, who does wondrous things on the earth, who makes man great from the womb and deals with him according to his will.

23May he give you wisdom of heart, and may there be peace among you.

24May his mercy remain faithful with Shimon, and may he establish for him the covenant of Phinehas, which shall not be cut off from him or from his offspring as long as the days of heaven endure.

25With two nations my soul is disgusted, and the third is not a people.

26the inhabitants of Seir and Philistia, and the foolish nation that dwells in Shechem.

27Instruction in understanding and mastery of expression, by Shimon son of Yeshua, son of Eleazar son of Sira, who poured forth wisdom from his heart.

28Blessed is the man who meditates on these things, and he who takes them to heart will become wise.

29For if one does these things, he will prevail in everything, for the light of the Lord is his path.