Sirach 45:6-16

Revised Standard Version

⁶ He exalted Aaron, the brother of Moses,^[a]
    a holy man like him, of the tribe of Levi.
⁷ He made an everlasting covenant with him,
    and gave him the priesthood of the people.
He blessed him with splendid vestments,
    and put a glorious robe upon him.
⁸ He clothed him with superb perfection,
    and strengthened him with the symbols of authority,
    the linen breeches, the long robe, and the ephod.
⁹ And he encircled him with pomegranates,
    with very many golden bells round about,
to send forth a sound as he walked,
    to make their ringing heard in the temple
    as a reminder to the sons of his people;
¹⁰ with a holy garment, of gold and blue
    and purple, the work of an embroiderer;
with the oracle of judgment, Urim and Thummim;
¹¹     with twisted scarlet, the work of a craftsman;
with precious stones engraved like signets,
    in a setting of gold, the work of a jeweler,
for a reminder, in engraved letters,
    according to the number of the tribes of Israel;
¹² with a gold crown upon his turban,
    inscribed like a signet with “Holiness,”
a distinction to be prized, the work of an expert,
    the delight of the eyes, richly adorned.
¹³ Before his time there never were such beautiful things.
    No outsider ever put them on,
but only his sons
    and his descendants perpetually.
¹⁴ His sacrifices shall be wholly burned
    twice every day continually.
¹⁵ Moses ordained him,
    and anointed him with holy oil;
it was an everlasting covenant for him
    and for his descendants all the days of heaven,
to minister to the Lord^[b] and serve as priest
    and bless his people in his name.
¹⁶ He chose him out of all the living
    to offer sacrifice to the Lord,
incense and a pleasing odor as a memorial portion,
    to make atonement for the people.^[c]