Chapter 50

50. Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the temple, for he laid the foundation of the double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple, for in his days the cistern to receive water, being in compass as the sea, was built, and he took care of his people, and delivered them from destruction. How was he honoured in the sight of the people by his coming out of the sanctuary! He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full, as the sun shining upon the temple, and as the rainbow appearing in the cloud of glory, 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, as fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessel of beaten gold set with all manner of precious stones, as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which grows up to the clouds, for he was magnified in his works. When he put on the robe of honor, and was clothed with the perfection of glory, when he went up to the holy altar, he made the garment of holiness honorable, and when he received the portions out of the priests' hands, he himself stood by the hearth of the altar, compassed with his brethren, for the sons of Aaron were in their glory, and the offerings of the Lord in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel, and the whole multitude fell down upon the ground, and worshipped the Lord, and poured out their prayers, and the people prayed to the most High. The singers also sang praises with their voices, with a great sound was there made sweet melody, and the people besought the Lord to send his blessing upon his people, and the whole multitude fell down upon the ground, and worshipped the Lord, and poured out their prayers. Now therefore bless ye the God of all, which only does wondrous things, who has exalted our days from the womb, and dealt with us according to his mercy, and grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days, and that we may be delivered out of all trouble. There be two nations which my heart abhors, and the third is no nation: they that dwell in mount Seir, and the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem.