1 Simon the son of Onias, the high priest, who in his life held up the house, and in his days strengthened the temple.
1 Simon ¹the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.
2 The height also of the temple was founded by him, the double building and high walls of the temple.
2 By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.
3 In his days the wells of waters flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.
3 In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.
4 Who had care of his nation, and delivered it from perdition.
4 He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.
5 Who prevailed to amplify the city, who obtained glory in conversing with the nation: and amplified the entrance of the house, and the court.
5 He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.
6 As the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the full moon he shineth in his days.
6 He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.
7 And as the sun shining, so did he shine in the temple of God.
7 And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.
8 As the rainbow that shineth among the clouds of glory, and as a flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are in the passage of water, and as frankincense smelling in summer days.
8 And as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.
9 As fire glistering, and frankincense burning in the fire.
9 As a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire.
10 As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.
10 As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.
11 As an olive tree budding, and a cypress tree advancing itself on high, when he took the robe of glory, and was revested to the consummation of strength.
11 As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.
12 In going up to the holy altar, he made the vesture of holiness, glory.
12 When he went up to the holy altar, he honored the vesture of holiness.
13 And in receiving the portions out of the hand of the Priests, himself also standing by the altar. About him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar plant in mount Libanus,
13 And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,
14 so stood they about him as boughs of the palm tree, & all the children of Aaron in their glory.
14 And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.
15 And the oblation of our Lord in their hands, before all the synagogue of Israel: and executing the consummation on the altar, to amplify the oblation of the high King,
15 And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honor the offering of the most high King,
16 he stretched forth his hand in oblation of moist sacrifice, and offered of the blood of the grape.
16 He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.
17 He poured out on the foundation of the altar a divine odour to the high Prince.
17 He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odor to the most high Prince.
18 Then cried out the children of Aaron, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great voice to be heard for a remembrance before God.
18 Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.
19 Then all the people together made haste, and fell on their face upon the earth, to adore our Lord their God, and to make prayers to God Omnipotent the Highest.
19 Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.
20 And the singers amplified in their voices, and in the great house the sound was increased full of sweetness.
20 And the singers lifted up their voices, and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.
21 And the people in prayer desired our Lord the Highest, until the honour of our Lord was perfected, and they finished their office.
21 And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.
22 Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God from his lips, and to glory in his name,
22 Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:
23 and he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.
23 And he repeated his prayer, willing to show the power of God.
24 And now pray ye the God of all, who hath done great things in all the land, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy:
24 And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother’s womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.
25 give he unto us joyfulness of heart everlasting:
25 May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel forever:
26 that Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
26 That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
27 Two nations my soul hateth: and the third is no nation, which I hate:
27 There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation: which I hate:
28 they that sit in mount Seir, and the Philisthiims, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
28 They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
29 Jesus the son of Sirach, a man of Jerusalem, wrote the doctrine of wisdom and discipline in this book, who renewed wisdom from his heart.
29 Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.
30 Blessed is he, that converseth in these good things: and he that layeth them in his heart, shall be wise always.
30 Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.
31 For if he do them, he shall be able to do all things: because his steps are in the light of God.
31 For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.