1 There was Simon, the high priest and son of Onias, Who repaired the house during his life And strengthened the temple in his days.
2 He also laid the foundation of the double high wall, The fortified wall surrounding the temple.
3 In his days the cistern for the waters was dug, A reservoir like a sea in circumference.
4 He was concerned about how to save his people from ruin, And he strengthened the city to withstand siege.
5 So was he honored when the people gathered round As he came out from behind the veil!
6 Like the morning star in the midst of the clouds, Like the moon when it is full;
7 Like the sun shining upon the temple of the Most High, And like the rainbow shining in clouds of glory;
8 Like the bloom of the rose in the days of first fruits, Like lilies by a spring of water, Like a sprig of frankincense in the summer;
9 Like fire and incense in the censer, Like a solid gold vessel decorated with every precious stone;
10 Like an olive tree sprouting fresh fruit, And like a cypress tree rising into the clouds.
11 When he took up a robe of honor And was clothed with the perfection of boasting In his ascent to the holy altar, He glorified the court of the sanctuary.
12 When he received the portion from the hands of the priests While standing by the hearth of the altar, A crown of brethren surrounding him, He was like a sapling of cedar in Lebanon; And they encircled him like the trunks of palm trees,
13 All the sons of Aaron in their glory, And the offering to the Lord in their hands Before all the assembly of Israel.
14 Finishing the services at the altars And arranging the offering to the Most High, the Almighty,
15 He stretched out his hand to the cup And poured a libation of the blood of the grapes. He poured it out on the foundation of the altar, A fragrant scent to the King of all, the Most High.
16 Then the sons of Aaron cried out, Sounding out the trumpets of hammered work, A great noise to be heard As a remembrance before the Most High.
17 Then all the people hastened in common And fell with their faces on the ground To worship their Lord, the Almighty God, the Most High.
18 The singers also praised Him with their voices, And their song was sweetened with a variety of sounds.
19 The people also prayed to the Lord Most High, In prayer before the Merciful One, Until the order of the Lord was ended And they finished His liturgy.
20 Then going down he lifted up his hands Over the entire assembly of the children of Israel, And to boast in His name.
21 Then they bowed down in worship a second time To receive the blessing from the Most High.
22 And now bless the God of all, Who does great things in every way, Who exalts our days from our birth And deals with us according to His mercy.
23 May He give us gladness of heart, And may there be peace in our days, In Israel as in the days of old.
24 May He entrust with us His mercy, And let Him redeem us in our days.
25 With two nations my soul is angered, And the third is not a nation:
26 Those who reside on the mountain of Samaria and the Philistines, And the foolish people who dwell in Shechem.
27 Jesus, son of Sirach, son of Eleazar the Jerusalemite, Who poured wisdom forth in this book, I inscribed instruction in understanding and knowledge.
28 Blessed is he who will conduct himself by these, For by putting these things in his heart He will be made wise.
29 For if he does these things, He will grow strong in all things, For the light of the Lord is his path.