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Sirach 50

50
Simon the Priest
1High Priest Simon
the son of Onias
repaired and fortified
the temple,
2and he laid the foundations
for the high double walls
that went around it.#50.2 it: One possible meaning for the difficult text of verse 2.
3Simon also dug a cistern#50.3 the large bronze … “the Sea:” This huge bowl had stood in the temple courtyard, and was about 4.5 meters across (see 1 Kings 7.23-26).
as big as the large bronze bowl
called “the Sea.”#50.3 dug a cistern: Hebrew; Greek “made a cistern smaller.”
4He fortified Jerusalem
and drew up plans
in case it was ever attacked
or surrounded.
5When he came out
from the Most Holy Place
and walked among the people,
he looked glorious,
6like the morning star
between the clouds
or a full moon
during a festival,
7or like sunshine on the temple
of God Most High,
or a brilliant rainbow
set against beautiful clouds.
8Seeing him was as pleasant
as the first roses of spring
or lilies beside a stream,
or green grass on a hot day
in the Lebanon mountains.
9He was majestic, like the smoke
from burning incense,
or a golden bowl set with jewels
of every kind,
10or like an olive tree
heavy with olives,
or a cypress tree
reaching toward the clouds.
11The whole temple courtyard
reflected his glory
when he wore his special robes
and went up to the sacred altar.
12Then he stood beside the altar,
and other priests gave him
the sacrifices to be burned.
These priests stood around him
like palm trees near a cedar
in the Lebanon mountains.
13They wore beautiful robes
and held the sacrifices
in their hands.
All Israel watched
14while Simon placed each offering
on the altar fires.
15Then he was handed a cup
of blood-red wine,
which he poured out
at the foot of the altar
as a pleasant-smelling offering
to God Most High,
the King of all creation.
16After this, the priests shouted
and blew silver trumpets,
making a loud noise
as a prayer
to the Most High God.
17Immediately, everyone bowed
with their face to the ground
to worship the all-powerful
Lord God Most High.
18The temple choir began singing,
and sweet songs of praise
echoed through the courtyard.
19Meanwhile, the people prayed
to their God,
the merciful Lord Most High,
until the ceremonies of worship
were finished.
20 # Nu 6.24-27. Then Simon came down
from the altar
and raised his hands
to praise the Lord
and to bless the people
in his name.
21They bowed down again
to receive Simon's blessing
and to worship God Most High.
Praise God
22Praise the God of all creation,
because he works miracles
everywhere on earth.
He watches over us as we grow,
and shows mercy to us.
23Now we pray for happiness
and peace in Israel,
as it used to be.
24May he be merciful
and rescue us before we die.
Nations Hated by Sirach
* 25Two nations I hate are Edom#50.25 Edom: Hebrew; Greek “Samaria.”
and Philistia,
26and I also hate
the people of Shechem—
those fools are unworthy
to even be called a nation.
The Wisdom in This Book
27My name is Jesus son of Eleazar
son of Sirach,#50.27 Eleazar son of Sirach: Hebrew; Greek “Sirach Eleazar.”
and I wrote this book
to help you learn and understand
the wisdom that overflows
from my heart.
28If you read and pay attention
to the wisdom in this book,
you will be happy and wise.
29The Lord's wisdom gives light
to the pathway of life.
Follow wisdom,
and you will never fail.

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Sirach 50: CEVDCI

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