Sirach 50:1-13

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

50 The leader of his brothers and the pride of his people^[a]
    was the high priest, Simon son of Onias,
who in his life repaired the house,
    and in his time fortified the temple.
² He laid the foundations for the high double walls,
    the high retaining walls for the temple enclosure.
³ In his days a water cistern was dug,^[b]
    a reservoir like the sea in circumference.
⁴ He considered how to save his people from ruin,
    and fortified the city against siege.
⁵ How glorious he was, surrounded by the people,
    as he came out of the house of the curtain.
⁶ Like the morning star among the clouds,
    like the full moon at the festal season;^[c]
7 like the sun shining on the temple of the Most High,
    like the rainbow gleaming in splendid clouds;
⁸ like roses in the days of first fruits,
    like lilies by a spring of water,
    like a green shoot on Lebanon on a summer day;
⁹ like fire and incense in the censer,
    like a vessel of hammered gold
    studded with all kinds of precious stones;
¹⁰ like an olive tree laden with fruit,
    and like a cypress towering in the clouds.
¹¹ When he put on his glorious robe
    and clothed himself in perfect splendor,
when he went up to the holy altar,
    he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.