Ben Sira - chapter 50

50: 1 - 29 (tribute to a High Priest in Jerusalem who served 219 - 196 B.C.E.) - Goodspeed translation

It was Simon, the son of Onias (Hebrew form is Johanan), the great priest, who in his lifetime repaired the house, and in his days strengthened the sanctuary.  He laid the foundation for the height of the double wall, the lofty substructure for the temple inclosure.  In his days a water cistern was hewed out, a reservoir in circumference like the sea, he took thought for his people to keep them from calamity, and fortified the city against siege.  How glorious he was, surrounded by the people, as he came out of the sanctuary!  Like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon when it is full; like the sun shining forth upon the sanctuary of the Most High; like the rainbow, showing itself among glorious clouds, like roses in the days of first fruits, like lilies by a spring of water, like a sprig of frankincense, on summer days, like fire and incense in the censer, like a dish of beaten gold, adorned with all kinds of precious stones; like an olive putting forth its fruit, and like a cypress towering among the clouds.  When he assumed his glorious robe, and put on glorious perfection, and when he went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.  And when he received the portions from the hands of the priests, as he stood by the hearth of the altar, with his brothers like a wreath about him; he was like a young cedar on Lebanon, and they surrounded him like the trunks of palm trees, all the descendants of Aaron in their splendor, with the Lord's offering in their hands, before the whole assembly of Israel; and when he finished the service at the altars, to adorn the offering of the Most High, the Almighty, he stretched out his hand to the cup, and poured out some of the blood of the grape; he poured it out at the foot of the altar, a fragrant odor unto the Most High, the King of All.  then the descendants of Aaron shouted; they sounded the trumpets of beaten work;  they made a great sound heard, for a reminder, before the Most High.  Then all the people made haste together, and fell upon their faces on the ground, to worship their Lord, the Almighty, the Most High.  The singers too praised him with their voices; they made sweet music in the fullest volume.  And the people entreated the Lord Most High, with prayer before him who is merciful, until the worship of Lord should be finished, and they completed his service.  Then he came down and lifted his hands over the whole assembly of the descendants of Israel, to pronounce the blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to exult in his name.  And they prostrated themselves a second time, to receive the blessing from the Most High.
Now bless the God of all, who in every way does great things; who exalts our days from our birth, and deals with us according to his mercy.  May He give us gladness of heart, and may there be peace in our days in Israel, and through the days of eternity.  May He entrust His mercy to us, and let Him deliver us in our days.  With two nations my soul is vexed, and the third is no nation; they who live on the mountain of Samaria, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that live in Shechem.
SIGNATORY SECTION -- "Instruction in understanding and knowledge has Jeshua, son of Sira, son of Eleazar, of Jerusalem written in this book, who poured forth wisdom from his mind.  Happy is he who concerns himself with these things, and he that lays them up in his mind will become wise.  For if he does them, he will be strong for all things, for the light of the Lord is his path."