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1Simon the high priest, the son of Onias,[#50:1a Probably Simon II, who died around 195 b.c.]
was the leader of his brothers and the pride of his people.
During his lifetime he repaired the Lord’s house;
in his day he fortified the Temple.
2He laid the foundations for the high double walls,
the high retaining walls of the Temple area.
3During Simon’s time a water cistern was dug,
a reservoir as broad as the sea.
4He devised a plan to save his people from destruction
and fortified the city against siege.
5How glorious Simon was when the people would surround him
as he came out of the veiled sanctuary.
6He shone like the morning star among the clouds,
like the moon at its fullest.
7He was like the sun when it shines on the Temple of the Most High,
like the rainbow gleaming in beautiful clouds.
8He was like roses in the springtime,
like lilies by a spring of water,
like a green shoot on Mount Lebanon on a summer day.
9Simon was like fire and incense in the censer,
like a vessel of hammered gold
adorned with every kind of precious stone.
10He was like an olive tree weighed down with fruit,
like a cypress tree reaching up to the clouds.
11When he put on his glorious robe
and dressed himself in all his splendor,
he made the court of the sanctuary glorious
as he went up to the holy altar.
12When he received the sacrifices from the priests
and stood by the hearth of the altar,
he was surrounded by brothers as with a garland,
and he was like a young cedar on Mount Lebanon
surrounded by palm trees.
13All the sons of Aaron in their glory
held offerings for the Lord in their hands
as they stood before the entire congregation of Israel.
14When Simon finished the service at the altar,
he would arrange the offering to the Most High, the Almighty.
15Simon would reach out to receive the cup
and pour out a drink offering of wine.
He would pour it out at the foot of the altar,
a pleasing aroma to the Most High, the King of all.
16Then the sons of Aaron would shout
and blow their trumpets of hammered metal.
They made a mighty fanfare
as a reminder to those in the presence of the Most High.
17Then all the people would quickly
fall with their faces to the ground
and worship their Lord,
the Almighty, God Most High.
18Then the singers would praise him with their voices,
making a sweet, resounding melody throughout the Temple.
19The people of the Lord Most High would offer
their prayers to the Merciful One.
This was done until the order of the worship of the Lord was completed,
and they finished his ritual.
20Then Simon would come down and raise his hands
over the entire congregation of Israelites.
He would pronounce the blessing of the Lord
and glorify his name.
21The people would bow down again to worship
and receive the blessing from the Most High.
22Now bless the God of all,
who works great wonders everywhere,
who has caused us to grow from the day we were born,
and who deals with us according to his mercy.
23May he grant us joyfulness of heart,
and may there be peace in our time
in Israel, just as there was long ago.
24May he confirm his mercy toward us
by rescuing us in our time.
25There are two nations my soul abhors
and the third is not even a nation:
26those who live in Edom and Philistia[#50:26 As in Hebrew, which reads, in Seir, another name for Edom. Greek reads on the mountain of Samaria.]
and those foolish Samaritans who live in Shechem.
27I, Jeshua son of Eleazar[#50:27 Greek Jesus.]
son of Sirach of Jerusalem (whose mind overflowed with wisdom),
have written instruction in understanding and knowledge in this book.
28Blessed are those who ponder these things,
and those who take them to heart will become wise.
29For if they put them into practice, they will be equal to any task,
for the fear of the Lord guides their steps.