1    ^noteSimon ^note the sonne of Onias the hie Priest, which in his life set vp the house againe, & in his dayes established the ^note Temple,

2   Vnder him was the foundation of the double height layed, and the hie walles that compasseth the Temple.

3   In his dayes the places to receiue water, that were decayed, were restored, and the brasse was about in measure as the sea.

4   He tooke care for his people, that they should not fall, and fortified the citie against the siege.

5   How honorable was his conuersation among the people, and when he came out of the house couered with the vaile!

6   He was as the morning starre in the middes of a cloude, and as the moone when it is full,

7   And as the sunne shining vpon the Temple of the most High, & as the rainebowe that is bright in the faire cloudes,

8   And as the flowre of the roses in the spring of the yeere, and as lilies by the springs of waters, and as the branches of the frankincense tree in the time of sommer,

9   As a fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessell of massie golde, set with all maner of precious stones,

10   And as a faire oliue tree that is fruitfull, and as a cypresse tree, which groweth vp to the cloudes.

11   When he put on the garment of honour and was clothed with all beautie, he went vp to the holy altar, & made the garment of holines honourable.

12   When he tooke the portions out of þe; Priests handes, he himselfe stoode by the herth of the altar, compassed with his brethren round about, as þe; branches doe the cedar tree in Libanus, and they compassed him as the branches of the palme trees.

13   So were all the sonnes of Aaron in their glorie, and the oblations of the Lord in their hands before all the congregation of Israel.

14   And that he might accomplish his ministerie vpon the altar, and garnish the offering of the most High and Almightie,

15   He stretched out his hand to the drinke offering, and powred of the blood of the grape, and he powred at the foote of the altar a perfume of good sauour vnto the most high King of all.

16   Then showted the sonnes of Aaron, and blowed with brasen trumpets, & made a great noise to be heard, for a remembrance before the most High.

17   Then all the people together hasted, and fell downe to the earth vpon their faces to worship their Lord God almightie, and most high.

18   The singers also sang &wt; their voyces, so that the sound was great, and the melodie sweete.

19   And the people prayed vnto the Lorde most

high with praier before him that is merciful, till the honour of the Lorde were performed, and they had accomplished his seruice.

20   Then went he downe, and stretched out his hands ouer the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they shoulde giue praise with their lippes vnto the Lord, and reioyce in his name.

21   Hee began againe to worship, that he might receiue the blessing of the most High.

22   Nowe therefore giue praise all ye vnto God, that worketh great things euery where, which hath increased our daies from the wombe, and dealt with vs according to his mercie,

23   That he would giue vs ioyfulnesse of heart, and peace in our daies in Israel, as in olde time,

24   That he would confirme his mercie with vs, and deliuer vs at his time.

25   ¶2; There be two maner of people, that mine heart abhorreth, and the third is no people:

26   They that sit vpon the mountaine of Samaria, the Philistims, and the foolish people that dwell in ^note Sicinus.

27   ¶2; Iesus the sonne of Sirach, the sonne of Eleazarus, of Ierusalem, hath written the doctrine of vnderstanding and knowledge in this booke, & hath powred out the wisdome of his heart.

28   Blessed is he that exerciseth himselfe therein: and he that laieth vp these in his heart, shalbe wise.

29   For if he doe these things, he shall be strong in all things: for he setteth his steppes in the light of the Lorde, which giueth wisedome to the godly. The Lord be praised for euermore: So be it, so be it.

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