Ben Sira 45:2-12

2 The Lord made him as glorious as the angels and made his enemies fear him.
3 There in Egypt at his command the disaster struck. The Lord made kings hold him in respect. The Lord gave him his commands for his people and showed him the dazzling light of his presence.
4 The Lord chose Moses out of the whole human race and consecrated him because of his loyalty and humility.
5 He let him hear his voice and led him into the dark cloud, where, face-to-face, he gave him the commandments, the Law that gives life and knowledge, so that Moses might teach the covenant regulations to the Israelites.
6 The Lord raised up Aaron, a holy man like his brother Moses, of the tribe of Levi. 1
7 He made an eternal covenant with him, giving him the privilege of serving as priest to the Lord's people. He honored him by clothing him with magnificent robes and fine ornaments, 2
8 perfect in their splendor. He granted him the symbols of authority: the linen shorts, the shirt, and the robe with the pomegranates around the hem.
9 Gold bells were also around its hem, so that when he walked, their ringing would be heard in the Temple, and the Lord would remember his people.
10 The Lord gave Aaron the sacred robe with the gold, blue, and purple embroidery; the breastpiece with the Urim and Thummim;
11 the red yarn, spun by an expert; the precious stones with names engraved on them, mounted in a gold setting by a jeweler, placed on the breastpiece to remind the Lord of the twelve tribes of Israel.
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.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 45.6Exodus 4.14.
  • 2. 45.7-13Exodus 28.1-43.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Hebrew] struck; [Greek] stopped.
  • [b]. urim and thummim: [Two objects used by the priest to determine God's will; it is not known precisely how they were used.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.