Ben Sira 50:1-7

1 Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the temple,

2 and by him was built from the foundation the double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple--

3 in his days the cistern to receive water, being in measure as the sea, was covered with plates of brass.

4 He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified the city against besieging.

5 How was he honored in the midst of the people in his coming out of the sanctuary!

6 He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full;

7 as the sun shining upon the temple of the Most High, and as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds;