Chapter Fifty

The praise of God’s providence among people through the godliness of the high priest Simon, son of Onias.

Sirach 50:1. Simon, son of Onias, the great priest, repaired the house during his life and in his days strengthened the temple: Sirach 50:2. by him was laid the foundation of a double elevation – the raising of a high wall of the temple; Sirach 50:3. in his days the water reservoir was diminished, the circumference of the bronze sea; Sirach 50:4. to protect his people from disaster, he strengthened the city against siege. Sirach 50:5. How magnificent he was among the people when he came out from behind the veil of the temple! Sirach 50:6. Like the morning star among clouds, like the full moon in the days, Sirach 50:7. like the sun shining over the temple of the Most High, and like a rainbow shining in the magnificent clouds, Sirach 50:8. like the rose blossom in the spring days, like lilies at the fountains of waters, like a branch of Lebanon in the summer days, Sirach 50:9. like fire with incense in a censer, Sirach 50:10. like a wrought golden vessel, adorned with all manner of precious stones, Sirach 50:11. like an olive tree heavy with fruit and like a cypress towering toward the clouds. Sirach 50:12. When he put on his glorious garments and clothed himself in all his magnificent adornment, in ascending to the holy altar, he illuminated the surroundings of the sanctuary with the brightness. Sirach 50:13. Also, when he received the portions of the sacrifice from the hands of the priests, standing by the altar fire – Sirach 50:14. around him was a crown of brothers, like branches of cedar on Lebanon, and they surrounded him like palm fronds, Sirach 50:15. and all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and the offering to the Lord in their hands before all the congregation of Israel. Sirach 50:16. In the completion of the services on the altar, to crown the offering to the Most High Almighty, Sirach 50:17. he stretched out his hand to the sacrificial cup, poured into it the blood of the grape, and poured it out at the base of the altar in a fragrant aroma to the Most High King. Sirach 50:18. Then the sons of Aaron cried out, they sounded the wrought trumpets and raised a loud voice in remembrance before the Most High. Sirach 50:19. Then all the people together hastened to fall on their faces on the earth to worship the Lord their God, the Almighty, God the Most High; Sirach 50:20. and the singers praised him with their voices; in the spacious temple resounded a sweet song, Sirach 50:21. and the people prayed to the Lord the Most High in prayer before the Merciful One, as long as the praise of the Lord was being accomplished – and thus they concluded his service. Sirach 50:22. Then he, coming down, raised his hands over all the congregation of the sons of Israel, to impart the blessing of the Lord by his mouth and to glory in his name; Sirach 50:23. the people repeated their prostration to receive the blessing from the Most High. 1–23. The reference is to Simon the First, son and successor of the high priest Onias the First, called the Righteous for his godliness and charity.

Sirach 50:24. And now all bless God, who accomplishes great things everywhere, who prolonged our days from the womb and deals with us according to his mercy: 24. He prolonged our days from the womb, that is, from the time of our birth.

Sirach 50:25. may he give us joy of heart, and may there be peace in Israel in our days to the end of the age; Sirach 50:26. may he keep his mercy toward us and in his time deliver us! 26. And in his time deliver us from our enemies.

Sirach 50:27. My soul abhors two nations, and the third is not a nation: 27. And the third is not a nation, that is, does not deserve to be called a nation.

Sirach 50:28. these are the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the foolish people dwelling in Shechem. 28. The inhabitants of Mount Seir, that is, the Edomites. – And the foolish people dwelling in Shechem. By Shechem is meant Shechem or Sychar, the chief city of Samaria. The inhabitants of Shechem, the Samaritans, are called foolish for their spiritual blindness.

Sirach 50:29. The teaching of wisdom and understanding have I traced in this book, I, Jesus son of Sirach, a resident of Jerusalem, who poured out wisdom from my heart. Sirach 50:30. Blessed is he who concerns himself with these teachings – and he who lays them to heart will become wise; Sirach 50:31. and if he fulfills them, he will be able to do all things; for the light of the Lord is his way.