Ecclesiasticus, 45

1. From Jacob's stock he produced a generous man who found favour in the eyes of all humanity, beloved by God and people, Moses, of blessed memory.

1. Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations.

2. He made him the equal of the holy ones in glory and made him strong, to the terror of his enemies.

2. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning.

3. By the word of Moses, he made prodigies cease and raised him high in the respect of kings; he gave him commandments for his people, and showed him something of his glory.

3. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and proclaiming prophecies;

4. For his loyalty and gentleness he sanctified him, choosing him alone out of all human beings;

4. leaders of the people in their deliberations and in understanding of learning for the people, wise in their words of instruction;

5. he allowed him to hear his voice, and led him into the darkness;

5. those who composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing;

6. he gave him the commandments face to face, the law of life and knowledge, to teach Jacob his ordinances and Israel his decrees. He raised up Aaron, a holy man like Moses, his brother, of the tribe of Levi.

6. rich men furnished with resources, living peaceably in their habitations --

7. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the people. He adorned him with impressive vestments, he dressed him in a robe of glory.

7. all these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.

8. He clothed him in glorious perfection and invested him with rich ornaments, the breeches, the long robe, the ephod.

8. There are some of them who have left a name, so that men declare their praise.

9. To surround the robe he gave him pomegranates, and many gold bells all round to chime at every step, for their sound to be heard in the Temple as a reminder to the children of his people;

9. And there are some who have no memorial, who have perished as though they had not lived; they have become as though they had not been born, and so have their children after them.

10. and a sacred vestment of gold and aquamarine and scarlet, the work of an embroiderer; the pectoral of judgement, the urim and thummim, of plaited crimson, the work of a craftsman;

10. But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;

11. precious stones cut like seals mounted in gold, the work of a jeweller, as a reminder with their engraved inscriptions of the number of the tribes of Israel;

11. their prosperity will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance to their children's children.

12. and a golden diadem on his turban, engraved with the seal of consecration; superb ornamentation, magnificent work, adornment to delight the eye.

12. Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake.

13. There had never been such lovely things before him, and no one else has ever put them on, but only his own sons, and his descendants for all time.

13. Their posterity will continue for ever, and their glory will not be blotted out.

14. His sacrifices were to be burnt entirely, twice each day and for ever.

14. Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives to all generations.

15. Moses consecrated him and anointed him with holy oil; and this was an everlasting covenant for him, and for his descendants as long as the heavens endure, that he should preside over worship, act as priest, and bless the people in the name of the Lord.

15. Peoples will declare their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.

16. He chose him out of all the living to offer sacrifices to the Lord, incense and perfume as a memorial to make expiation for the people.

16. Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up; he was an example of repentance to all generations.

17. He entrusted him with his commandments, committed to him the statutes of the Law for him to teach Jacob his decrees and enlighten Israel on his Law.

17. Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange; therefore a remnant was left to the earth when the flood came.

18. Others plotted against him, they were jealous of him in the desert, Dathan and Abiram and their men, Korah and his crew in fury and rage.

18. Everlasting covenants were made with him that all flesh should not be blotted out by a flood.

19. The Lord saw it and was displeased, his raging fury made an end of them; he worked miracles on them, consuming them by his flaming fire.

19. Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and no one has been found like him in glory;

20. And he added to Aaron's glory, he gave him an inheritance; he allotted him the offerings of the first-fruits, before all else, as much bread as he could want.

20. he kept the law of the Most High, and was taken into covenant with him; he established the covenant in his flesh, and when he was tested he was found faithful.

21. Thus they eat the sacrifices of the Lord which he gave to him and his posterity.

21. Therefore the Lord assured him by an oath that the nations would be blessed through his posterity; that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth, and exalt his posterity like the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

22. But of the people's territory he inherits nothing, he alone of all the people has no share, 'For I myself am your share and heritage.'

22. To Isaac also he gave the same assurance for the sake of Abraham his father.

23. Phinehas son of Eleazar is third in glory because of his zeal in the fear of the Lord, because he stood firm when the people revolted, with a staunch and courageous heart; and in this way made expiation for Israel.

23. The blessing of all men and the covenant he made to rest upon the head of Jacob; he acknowledged him with his blessings, and gave him his inheritance; he determined his portions, and distributed them among twelve tribes.

24. Hence a covenant of peace was sealed with him, making him governor of both sanctuary and people, and securing to him and his descendants the high priestly dignity for ever.

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25. There was also a covenant with David son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, a royal succession by exclusively linear descent, but the succession of Aaron passes to all his descendants.

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26. May God endow your hearts with wisdom to judge his people uprightly, so that the virtues of your ancestors may never fade, and their glory may pass to all their descendants!

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