1{\cf2 Simon the sonne of Onias the hie Priest, which in his life set vp the house againe, & in his dayes established the Temple,} 2{\cf2 Vnder him was the foundation of the double height layed, and the hie walles that compasseth the Temple.} 3{\cf2 In his dayes the places to receiue water, that were decayed, were restored, and the brasse was about in measure as the sea.} 4{\cf2 He tooke care for his people, that they should not fall, and fortified the citie against the siege.} 5{\cf2 How honorable was his conuersation among the people, and when he came out of the house couered with the vaile!} 6{\cf2 He was as the morning starre in the middes of a cloude, and as the moone when it is full,} 7{\cf2 And as the sunne shining vpon the Temple of the most High, & as the rainebowe that is bright in the faire cloudes,} 8{\cf2 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{\cf2 As a fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessell of massie golde, set with all maner of precious stones,} 10{\cf2 And as a faire oliue tree that is fruitfull, and as a cypresse tree, which groweth vp to the cloudes.} 11{\cf2 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{\cf2 When he tooke the portions out of ye Priests handes, he himselfe stoode by the herth of the altar, compassed with his brethren round about, as ye branches doe the cedar tree in Libanus, and they compassed him as the branches of the palme trees.} 13{\cf2 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{\cf2 And that he might accomplish his ministerie vpon the altar, and garnish the offering of the most High and Almightie,} 15{\cf2 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{\cf2 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{\cf2 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{\cf2 The singers also sang with their voyces, so that the sound was great, and the melodie sweete.} 19{\cf2 And the people prayed vnto the Lorde mosthigh with praier before him that is merciful, till the honour of the Lorde were performed, and they had accomplished his seruice.} 20{\cf2 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{\cf2 Hee began againe to worship, that he might receiue the blessing of the most High.} 22{\cf2 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{\cf2 That he would giue vs ioyfulnesse of heart, and peace in our daies in Israel, as in olde time,} 24{\cf2 That he would confirme his mercie with vs, and deliuer vs at his time.} 25{\cf2 There be two maner of people, that mine heart abhorreth, and the third is no people:} 26{\cf2 They that sit vpon the mountaine of Samaria, the Philistims, and the foolish people that dwell in Sicinus.} 27{\cf2 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{\cf2 Blessed is he that exerciseth himselfe therein: and he that laieth vp these in his heart, shalbe wise.} 29{\cf2 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.}