Liber Ecclesiasticus, 50

1. Simon Onii filius sacerdos magnus qui in vita sua suffulsit domum et in diebus suis corroboravit

1. Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.

2. templi etiam altitudo ab ipso fundata est duplex ædificatio excelsa parietis templi

2. By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.

3. in diebus ipsius remanaverunt putei aquarum et quasi mare adimpleti sunt supra modum

3. In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.

4. qui curavit gentem suam et liberavit illam a pernicie

4. He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.

5. qui prævaluit amplificare civitatem qui adeptus est gloriam in conversatione gentis et ingressum domus et atrii amplificatus est

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. quasi stella matutina in medio nebulæ et quasi luna plena in diebus suis lucet

6. He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.

7. et quasi sol refulgens sic ille effulsit in templo Dei

7. And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.

8. quasi arcus effulgens in nebulam gloriæ et quasi flos rosarum in diebus veris quasi lilia quæ sunt in transitu aquæ et quasi tus redolens in diebus æstatis

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. quasi ignis effulgens et tus ardens in igni

9. As a bright Are, and frankincense burning in the fire.

10. quasi vas auri solidum ornatum omni lapide pretioso

10. As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.

11. quasi oliva pullulans et gyrus in altitudinem se tollens in accipiendo ipsum stolam gloriæ et vestiri eum consummatione virtutis

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 ascensu altarii sancti gloriam dedit sanctitatis amictum

12. When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.

13. in accipiendo autem partes de manu sacerdotum et ipse stans juxta aram circa illum corona fratrum quasi plantatio cedri in monte Libano

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. sic circa illum steterunt quasi rami in palma et omnes filii Aaron in gloria sua

14. And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.

15. oblatio autem Domini in manibus ipsorum coram omni synagoga Israël et consummationem fungens in ara amplificare oblationem excelsi Regis

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 honour the offering of the most high Ring,

16. porrexit manum suam in libatione et libavit de sanguine uvæ

16. He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.

17. et fudit in fundamenta altarii odorem divinum excelso Principi

17. He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.

18. tunc exclamaverunt filii Aaron in tubis productilibus sonaverunt et auditam fecerunt magnam vocem in memoriam coram Deo

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. tunc omnis populus simul properaverunt et ceciderunt in faciem super terram adorare Dominum suum et dare preces Deo omnipotenti excelso

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. et amplificaverunt psallentes in vocibus suis et in magna domo auctus est sonus suavitate plenus

20. And the singers lifted up their voices. and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.

21. et rogavit populus Dominum excelsum in prece usque dum perfectus est honor Domini et munus suum perfecerunt

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. tunc descendens extulit manus suas in omnem congregationem filiorum Israël dare gloriam Deo a labiis suis et in nomine ipsius gloriari

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. et iteravit orationem suam volens ostendere virtutem Dei

23. And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.

24. et nunc orate Dominum omnium qui magna fecit in omni terra qui auxit dies nostros a ventre matris nostræ et fecit nobiscum secundum suam misericordiam

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. det nobis jucunditatem cordis et fieri pacem in diebus nostris in Israël per dies sempiternos

25. May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:

26. credere Israël nobiscum esse misericordiam Dei ut sanet vos in diebus suis

26. That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.

27. duas gentes odit anima mea tertia autem non est gens quam oderim

27. There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation, which I hate:

28. qui sedent in monte Seir et Philisthim et stultus populus qui habitat in Sicimis

28. They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.

29. doctrinam sapientiæ et disciplinæ scripsi in codice isto Jesus filius Sirach Hierosolymita qui renovavit sapientiam de corde suo

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. beatus qui in istis versatur bonis qui ponit illa in corde suo sapiens erit semper

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. si enim hæc fecerit ad omnia valebit quia lux Dei vestigium ejus est

31. For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.