Sirach 45
1 And he brought out of him a merciful
man, which found favour in the sight of all flesh; even Moses, beloved of God
and men, whose memorial is blessed.
2 He made him like to the glorious
saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
3 By his words he caused the wonders
to cease, and he made him glorious in the sight of kings, and gave him a
commandment for his people, and shewed him part of his glory.
4 He sanctified him
in his faithfulness and meekness, and chose him out
of all men. 5 He made him to hear his
voice, and brought him into the dark cloud, and gave him commandments before
his face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might teach Jacob his
covenants, and Israel his judgments.
6 He exalted Aaron, an holy man like
unto him, even his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
7 An everlasting covenant he made with
him, and gave him the priesthood among the people; he beautified him with
comely ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of glory.
8 He put upon him perfect glory; and
strengthened him with rich garments, with breeches, with a long robe, and the
ephod. 9 And he compassed him with
pomegranates and with many golden bells round about, that as he went there
might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple for a
memorial to the children of his people;
10 with a holy garment, with gold,
and blue silk, and purple, the work of the embroiderer, with a breastplate of
judgment, with the revealers of truth;
11 with twisted scarlet, the work of
the cunning workman, with precious stones graven like seals, and set in gold,
the work of the jeweller, with a writing engraved for a memorial, after the
number of the tribes of Israel. 12 He
set a crown of gold upon the mitre, wherein was engraven Holiness, an ornament
of honour, a costly work, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.
13 Before him there were none such,
neither did ever any stranger put them on, but only his children and his
children's children perpetually.
14 Their sacrifices shall be wholly
consumed every day twice continually.
15 Moses consecrated him, and
anointed him with holy oil; this was appointed unto him by an everlasting
covenant, and to his seed, so long as the heavens should remain, that they
should minister unto him, and execute the office of the priesthood, and bless
the people in his name.
16 He chose him out of all men living
to offer sacrifices to the Lord, incense, and a sweet savour, for a memorial,
to make reconciliation for his people.
17 He gave unto him his commandments,
and authority in the statutes of judgments, that he should teach Jacob the
testimonies, and inform Israel in his laws.
18 Strangers conspired together
against him, and maligned him in the wilderness, even the men that were of
Dathan's and Abiron's side, and the congregation of Core, with fury and wrath.
19 This the Lord saw, and it
displeased him, and in his wrathful indignation were they consumed: he did
wonders upon them, to consume them with the fiery flame.
20 But he made Aaron more honourable,
and gave him an heritage, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the
increase; especially he prepared bread in abundance:
21 for they eat of the sacrifices of
the Lord, which he gave unto him and his seed.
22 Howbeit in the land of the people
he had no inheritance, neither had he any portion among the people: for the
Lord himself is his portion and inheritance.
23 The third in glory is Phinees the
son of Eleazar, because he had zeal in the fear of the Lord, and stood up with
good courage of heart when the people were turned back, and made
reconciliation for Israel.
24 Therefore was there a covenant of
peace made with him, that he should be the chief of the sanctuary and of his
people, and that he and his posterity should have the dignity of the
priesthood for ever: 25 according to
the covenant made with David son of Jesse, of the tribe of Juda, that the
inheritance of the king should be to his posterity alone: so the inheritance
of Aaron should also be unto his seed.
26 God give you wisdom in your heart
to judge his people in righteousness, that their good things be not abolished,
and that their glory may endure for ever.