1 It was the High Priest Simon son of Onias who repaired the Temple during his lifetime and in his day fortified the sanctuary.
2 He laid the foundations of double depth, the high buttresses of the Temple precincts.
3 In his day the pool was excavated, a reservoir as huge as the sea.
4 Anxious to save the people from ruin, he fortified the city against siege.
5 How splendid he was with the people thronging round him, when he emerged from the curtained shrine,
6 like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon at the full,
7 like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming against brilliant clouds,
8 like a rose in springtime, like a lily by a spring, like a branch of the incense tree in summer,
9 like fire and incense in the censer, like a massive golden vessel encrusted with every kind of precious stone,
10 like an olive tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress soaring to the clouds;
11 when he took his ceremonial robe and put on his magnificent ornaments, when he went up to the holy altar and filled the sanctuary precincts with his grandeur;
12 when he received the portions from the hands of the priests, himself standing by the altar hearth, crowned with the circle of his brothers, as a cedar of Lebanon is by its foliage, as though surrounded by the trunks of palm trees.
13 When all the sons of Aaron in their glory, with the offerings of the Lord in their hands, stood before the whole assembly of Israel,
14 while he completed the rites at the altars, nobly presenting the offerings to the Almighty, Most High!
15 He would reach out his hand to the cup and pour a libation of wine, pouring it at the foot of the altar, a fragrance pleasing to the Most High, King of All;
16 then the sons of Aaron would shout and blow their metal trumpets, making a mighty sound ring out as a reminder before the Most High;
17 and immediately the people all together would fall on their faces to the ground, in adoration of their Lord, the Almighty, God Most High,
18 and with the cantors chanting their hymns of praise. Sweet was the melody of all these voices,
19 as the people pleaded with the Lord Most High and prayed in the presence of the Merciful, until the service of the Lord was completed and the ceremony at an end.
20 Then he would come down and raise his hands over the whole assembly of the Israelites, to give them the Lord's blessing from his lips, being privileged to pronounce his name;
21 and once again the people would bow low to receive the blessing of the Most High.
22 And now bless the God of all things, the doer of great deeds everywhere, who has exalted our days from the womb and has acted mercifully towards us.
23 May he grant us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time, in Israel for ages on ages.
24 May his mercy be faithfully with us, may he redeem us in our own times!
25 There are two nations that my soul detests, the third is not a nation at all:
26 the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the stupid people living at Shechem.
27 Instruction in wisdom and knowledge is what has been written in this book by Jesus son of Sira Eleazar of Jerusalem, who has poured a rain of wisdom from his heart.
28 Blessed is he who devotes his time to these and grows wise by taking them to heart!
29 If he practises them he will be strong enough for anything, since the light of the Lord is his path.
Versículos relacionados com Ecclesiasticus, 50:
Chapter 50 of Ecclesiastical describes the celebration of the Tabernacles Feast by the High Priest Simão, son of Onias. This celebration is described with great emphasis, highlighting the importance of the priest, his majestic appearance and his prayers in favor of the people. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in this chapter:
Leviticus 23:34: "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, On the fifteen days of this seventh month will be the feast of the Lord for seven days." This verse is God's command for the Israelites to celebrate the feast of tabernacles, which is the feast described in ecclesiastical 50.
Nehemiah 8:17: "And the whole congregation of those who returned from the captivity made cabins, and dwelt in them; for they had never done the children of Israel; and there was much joy." This verse describes how the Jews turned from Exile in Babylon celebrated the Tabernacles Feast, living in cabins during the party, as a way of remembering the time when they were nomads.
Zechariah 14:16: "And it will happen that all who remain from all nations that came against Jerusalem will rise from year to year to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, and to celebrate the feast of tabernacles." This verse describes a prophecy about the future, when all nations will worship God and celebrate the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem.
John 7:37-38: "And on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus put himself standing, and cried, saying, If anyone is thirsty, come to me, and drink. Whoever believes in me, as he says Scripture, rivers of living water will run from your womb. " This verse describes how Jesus used the feast of tabernacles as an opportunity to invite people to believe in Him and receive eternal life.
Revelation 21:3: "And I heard a great voice from heaven, which said, Here is the tabernacle of God with men, for with them will dwell, and they will be His people, and the same God will be with them, and will be the Your God. " This verse describes the apostle John's view of New Jerusalem, where God would dwell with men. This view can be related to the celebration of the Tabernacles Feast, which is a feast that resembles the time God dwelt with the Israelites in the desert in tents.
Kapitel: