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 compass 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 honoured 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:
8
And as the flower of roses in the spring of the year, as lilies by the rivers of waters, and as the branches of the frankincense tree in the time of summer:
9
As fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessel of beaten gold set with all manner of precious stones:
10
And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which groweth up to the clouds.