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.

3Simon also dug a cistern

as big as the large bronze bowl

called "the Sea."

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 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

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,

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.