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.
11
When he put on the robe of honour, and was clothed with the perfection of glory, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the garment of holiness honourable.
12
When he took the portions out of the priests' hands, he himself stood by the hearth of the altar, compassed about, as a young cedar in Libanus; and as palm trees compassed they him round about.
13
So were all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and the oblations of the Lord in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel.