1Simon, the son of Onias, was a great priest [or Simon, Onias’ son, the great priest], which in his life under-setted the house, and in his days strengthened the temple.

2Also the highness of the temple was builded of (or by) him, that is, repaired, (yea), the double building, and (the) high walls of the temple.

3In the days of him the pits of (or for the) waters came forth; and as the sea, those [or they] were filled above measure.

4Which Simon healed (or cared for) his folk, and delivered it from perdition. Which was mighty to alarge (or enlarge) the city;

5which got glory in the conver-sation of (the) folk; and alarged (or enlarged) the entering of the house, and of the large compass [or the porch] about.

6As the day star [or the morrow-tide] in the midst of a cloud, and as a full moon shineth in his (or in its) days;

7and as the sun shining, so he shined in the temple of God; as a rainbow shining among the clouds of glory,

8and as a flower of roses in the days of ver (or of springtime), and as lilies, that be in the passing [or in the goings] of water, and as incense smelling in the days of summer;

9as fire shining, and incense burn-ing in fire; as a firm [or massive] vessel of gold, adorned with each precious stone;

10as an olive tree springing forth, and a cypress tree raising itself on high;

11while he took the stole (or the robe) of glory, and was clothed in the perfection of virtue. In the ascending [or the going up] of the holy altar, the clothing [or amice] of holiness gave glory.

12Forsooth in taking (the) parts (out) of the hand(s) of (the) priests, that is, the tithe of tithes, which the priests took of (or received from) the people, and he stood beside the altar. The crown of brethren, as a planting of [a] cedar in the hill Lebanon, was about him; so they stood about him as boughs of palm tree(s),

13and all the sons of Aaron stood in their glory. Soothly the offering of the Lord was in the hands of them, before all the synagogue [or gathering] of Israel;

14and he used full ending on the altar, to alarge, [or to make large], (or to magnify) the offering of the high King.

15And he (ad)dressed (or directed) his hand in (or to the) moist, [or liquor, (or liquid)] sacrifice; and sacrificed in (or with) the blood of (the) grape. He shedded [or poured] out in the foundament (or at the foundation) of the altar, the odour of God to the high prince.

16Then the sons of Aaron cried (a)loud; they sounded in (or with) trumps beaten out with hammers, and made a great voice (or a loud noise) heard into mind before God.

17Then all the people hast(en)ed together, and fell down on the face on the earth, for to worship their Lord God, and to give prayers to Almighty God on high.

18And men singing in their voices alarged, that is, praised God largely; and a sound full of sweetness was made in the great house.

19And the people prayed (to) the high Lord in prayer, till that the honour of the Lord was done perfect-ly, and they performed their [or his] gift (or his service).

20Then Simon came down, and raised (up)[or put out] his hands into all the congregation of the sons of Israel, to give glory to God by (or with) his lips, and to have glory in the name of him.

21And he rehearsed (or repeated) his prayer, willing (or desiring) to show the virtue of God.

22And he prayed more (to) the Lord of all, that made [or did] great things in each land [or all (the) earth]; which increased our days from the womb of our mother, and did with us by [or after] his mercy.

23Give he gladness of heart to us, and that peace be made in Israel by everlasting days;

24that Israel believe, that God’s mercy is with us, (and) that he deliver them in their days.

25My soul hateth two folks; but the third is not a folk, whom I hate.

26They that sit in the hill of Samaria, and the Philistines, and the fond [or fool(ish)] people, that dwell-eth in Shechem.

27Jesus, the son of Sirach, a man of Jerusalem, wrote in this book the teaching [or the doctrine] of wisdom, and of cunning, (or of knowing, or knowledge); and he renewed (the) wisdom of (or from) his heart.

28He is blessed, that dwelleth in these good [thing] s; he that setteth those [things] in his heart, shall ever-[more] be wise.

29For if he doeth these things, he shall be mighty to all things; for why the light of God is the step of him.