Ben Sira 50:1-7

1 The greatest of his brothers and the pride of his people was the High Priest Simon son of Onias, who repaired the Temple

2 and laid the foundation for the high double wall and the fortifications of the Temple.

3 The reservoir, as big as the bronze tank, was dug while he was in office.

4 He made plans to protect his people from attack and fortified the city so that it could withstand a siege.

5 How glorious he was when he came out of the Most Holy Place!

6 He was like the morning star shining through the clouds, like the full moon,

7 like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming in glory against the clouds,

Footnotes

• [a]. The greatest . . . people; [Hebrew and one ancient translation place the words at this point; Greek places them at 49.15.]
• [b]. [Verse 2 in Greek is unclear.]
• [c]. [Hebrew] dug; [Greek] reduced.
• [d]. [Hebrew] Most Holy Place; [Greek] Most Holy Place among the people.