Ben Sira 45:12-22

12 He gave him the turban with the gold ornament engraved with the words "Dedicated to the Lord." It was expertly crafted, a beautiful work of art, and it was a high honor to wear it.
13 Before Aaron's time such beautiful things were never seen. No one but Aaron and his descendants ever wore them, or ever will.
14 The grain offering is to be presented twice a day and burned completely.
15 Moses ordained Aaron to office by pouring the sacred anointing oil over his head. An eternal covenant was made with him and his descendants, that they would serve the Lord as his priests and bless the people in the Lord's name. 1
16 The Lord chose Aaron out of the whole human race to offer sacrifices, to burn fragrant incense to remind the Lord of his people, and to take away their sins.
17 He entrusted the commandments to Aaron's keeping and gave him the authority to make legal decisions and to teach Israel the Law.
18 Once, while the people were in the wilderness, an angry group of jealous outsiders conspired against Moses. These were Dathan, Abiram, and Korah with their supporters. 2
19 The Lord saw what they were doing and became angry, so furious that he performed a miracle and destroyed them in a blazing fire.
20 Then he rewarded Aaron again, giving him a special honor: the right to the offerings of the first produce, so that the priests should have enough to eat.
21 Their food is the sacrifices offered to the Lord; the Lord gave this to Aaron and his descendants.
22 But Aaron, unlike the rest of the people, was to inherit no land, no special portion of his own. The Lord himself would be all he needed. 3

Cross References 3

  • 1. 45.15Leviticus 8.1-36.
  • 2. 45.18, 19Numbers 16.1-35.
  • 3. 45.22Numbers 18.20;Deuteronomy 12.12.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.