Глава 50

Glorification of the providence of the Lord in people through the piety of the high priest Simon, son of Onias. Sir.50:1 Simon the son of Onias, the great priest, repaired the house during his lifetime and strengthened the church in his days: Sir.50:2 for them was laid the foundation of a double eminence - the erection of a high fence of the church; Sir.50:3 In his days the reservoir was reduced, the circumference of the copper sea; Sir.50:4 To protect his people from disaster, he fortified the city against a siege. Sir.50:5 How majestic he was among the people when he came out of the curtain of the church! Sir.50:6 Like the morning star among the clouds, like the full moon in days, Sir.50:7 Like the sun shining on the church of the Most High, and like the rainbow shining in the majestic clouds, Sir.50:8 Like the color of roses in spring days, like lilies by springs of water, like a branch of Lebanon in summer days, Sir.50:9 like fire with incense in a censer, Sir.50:10 like a wrought gold vessel, adorned with all kinds of precious stones, Sir.50:11 like an olive tree with fruit and like a cypress tree rising to the clouds. Sir.50:12 When he took on magnificent clothing and put on all the majestic decoration, then, as he ascended to the holy altar, he illuminated the circumference of the sanctuary with splendor. Sir.50:13 Also, when he received the sacrificial parts from the hands of the priests, standing by the fire of the altar, - Sir.50:14 Around him was a crown of brothers, like cedar branches in Lebanon, and they surrounded him like date branches, Sir.50:15 And all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and the offering of the Lord in their hands before all the congregation of Israel. Sir.50:16 To complete the services on the altar, to crown the offering to the Most High Almighty, Sir.50:17 He stretched out his hand to the sacrificial cup, poured blood from the grapes into it and poured it out at the foot of the altar into the aroma of the Most High King. Sir.50:18 Then the sons of Aaron shouted, blew with wrought trumpets, and made a loud voice as a memorial before the Most High. Sir.50:19 Then all the people hastened together to fall face down on the ground to worship their Lord, the Almighty, the Most High God; Sir.50:20 And the singers of hymns praised Him with their voices; Sweet singing was heard in the spacious church, Sir.50:21 And the people prayed to the Lord Most High in prayer before the Merciful, while the praise of the Lord was being performed, and thus they finished serving Him. Sir.50:22 Then he went down and raised his hands to all the congregation of the children of Israel, so that with his lips he might impart the blessing of the Lord and boast in His name; Sir.50:23 The people repeated the worship in order to receive the blessing from the Most High. 1–23. This refers to Simon the First, the son and successor of the high priest Onias the First, nicknamed the Righteous for his piety and charity. Sir.50:24 And now, all of you, bless God, Who does great things everywhere, Who has extended our days from the womb and deals with us according to His mercy: 24. He extended our days from the womb, i.e. from the time of our birth. Sir.50:25 May He give us gladness of heart, and may there be peace in Israel in our days until the days of the world; Sir.50:26 May He preserve His mercy towards us and in due time may He deliver us! 26. And in due time may he deliver us from our enemies. Sir.50:27 My soul abhors two nations, and the third is not a nation: 27. And the third is not the people, i.e. does not deserve the name of the people. Sir.50:28 These are the Philistines sitting on Mount Seir and the foolish people living in Sikim. 28. Those sitting on Mount Seir, i.e. Edomites. - And the stupid people living in Sikim. By Sikim we mean Shechem or Sychar, the main city of Samaria. The inhabitants of Sikim, the Samaritans, are called foolish for their spiritual blindness. Sir.50:29 I have written in this book the teaching of wisdom and prudence, Jesus, the son of Sirach, a Jerusalemite, who poured out wisdom from his heart. Sir.50:30 Blessed is the one who practices these instructions, and whoever puts them on his heart will become wise; Sir.50:31 But if he does it, then all things will be possible; for the light of the Lord is his way.