Liber Ecclesiasticus, 50
1. Simon, Oniae filius, sacerdos magnus, qui in vita sua suffulsit domum et in diebus suis corroboravit templum.
1. The memory of Josiah is like a blending of incense prepared by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet as honey to every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.
2. Templi etiam altitudo ab ipso fundata est, substructura elata parietis templi.
2. He was led aright in converting the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.
3. In diebus ipsius excisa est piscina aquarum, lacus, quasi maris superficies eius.
3. He set his heart upon the Lord; in the days of wicked men he strengthened godliness.
4. Qui curavit gentem suam a latrone et firmavit eam ab obsidione.
4. Except David and Hezekiah and Josiah they all sinned greatly, for they forsook the law of the Most High; the kings of Judah came to an end;
5. Quam gloriosus apparuit, cum prospiceret e tabernaculo in egressu domus velamenti!
5. for they gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation,
6. Quasi stella matutina in medio nebulae et quasi luna plena in diebus festi
6. who set fire to the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made her streets desolate, according to the word of Jeremiah.
7. et quasi sol refulgens super templum Dei.
7. For they had afflicted him; yet he had been consecrated in the womb as prophet, to pluck up and afflict and destroy, and likewise to build and to plant.
8. Quasi arcus refulgens inter nebulas gloriae et quasi flos rosarum in diebus vernis et quasi lilia, quae sunt in transitu aquae, et quasi flos Libani in diebus aestatis;
8. It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory which God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim.
9. quasi ignis effulgens et tus ardens in igne,
9. For God remembered his enemies with storm, and did good to those who directed their ways aright.
10. quasi vas auri solidum ornatum omni lapide pretioso,
10. May the bones of the twelve prophets revive from where they lie, for they comforted the people of Jacob and delivered them with confident hope.
11. quasi oliva pullulans fructibus et cupressus in nubes se extollens, in accipiendo ipsum stolam gloriae et vestiri eum in consummationem magnificentiae.
11. How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet on the right hand,
12. In ascensu altaris sancti, cum gloriam daret peribolo sanctuarii
12. and so was Jeshua the son of Jozadak; in their days they built the house and raised a temple holy to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
13. et acciperet partes de manu sacerdotum, et ipse stans iuxta aram, et circa illum corona fratrum, quasi plantatio cedri in monte Libano,
13. The memory of Nehemiah also is lasting; he raised for us the walls that had fallen, and set up the gates and bars and rebuilt our ruined houses.
14. sic circa illum steterunt quasi rami palmae omnes filii Aaron in gloria sua.
14. No one like Enoch has been created on earth, for he was taken up from the earth.
15. Oblatio autem Domini in manibus ipsorum coram omni synagoga Israel, et consummatione fungens in ara, ordinans oblationem Omnipotentis.
15. And no man like Joseph has been born, and his bones are cared for.
16. Porrexit manum suam in libatione et libavit de sanguine uvae;
16. Shem and Seth were honored among men, and Adam above every living being in the creation.
17. effudit in fundamento altaris odorem divinum excelso Principi.
17.
18. Tunc exclamaverunt filii Aaron, in tubis productilibus sonuerunt et auditam fecerunt vocem magnam in memoriam coram Deo altissimo.
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19. Tunc omnis populus simul properaverunt et ceciderunt in faciem super terram adorare Dominum Deum suum et dare preces omnipotenti Deo excelso.
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20. Et laudaverunt psallentes in vocibus suis, et magnus resonabat cantus suavitatis plenus.
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21. Et rogavit populus Dominum excelsum in prece coram Misericorde, usque dum perfectus est honor Domini; et munus suum perfecerunt.
21.
22. Tunc descendens manus suas extulit in omnem congregationem filiorum Israel dare benedictionem Domini in labiis suis et in nomine ipsius gloriari;
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23. et iteraverunt adorationem suam, ut acciperent benedictionem Altissimi.
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24. Et nunc benedicite Deum omnium, qui magna facit in omni terra, exaltans dies nostros a ventre matris nostrae et faciens nobiscum secundum suam misericordiam.
24.
25. Det nobis iucunditatem cordis et fieri pacem in diebus nostris in Israel per dies sempiternos;
25.
26. credere Israel nobiscum esse Dei misericordiam, ut liberet nos in diebus nostris.
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27. Duas gentes odit anima mea, tertia autem non est quidem gens:
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28. qui sedent in monte Seir et Philisthim et stultus populus, qui habitat in Sichimis.
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29. Doctrinam sapientiae et disciplinae scripsit in codice isto Iesus filius Sirach, Ierosolymita, qui effudit sapientiam de corde suo.
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30. Beatus, qui in istis versatur sermonibus; qui ponit illa in corde suo, sapiens erit semper.
30.
31. Si enim haec fecerit, ad omnia valebit, quia timor Domini vestigium eius est.
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