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.
45:2 He made him like to the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his
enemies stood in fear of him.
45:3 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.
45:4 He sanctified him in his faithfuless and meekness, and chose him out of
all men.
45:5 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.
45:6 He exalted Aaron, an holy man like unto him, even his brother, of the
tribe of Levi.
45:7 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.
45:8 He put upon him perfect glory; and strengthened him with rich garments,
with breeches, with a long robe, and the ephod.
45:9 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;
45:10 With an holy garment, with gold, and blue silk, and purple, the work of
the embroidere, with a breastplate of judgment, and with Urim and
Thummim;
45:11 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.
45:12 He set a crown of gold upon the mitre, wherein was engraved Holiness, an
ornament of honour, a costly work, the desires of the eyes, goodly and
beautiful.
45:13 Before him there were none such, neither did ever any stranger put them
on, but only his children and his children's children perpetually.
45:14 Their sacrifices shall be wholly consumed every day twice continually.
45:15 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.
45:16 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.
45:17 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.
45:18 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.
45:19 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.
45:20 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:
45:21 For they eat of the sacrifices of the Lord, which he gave unto him and
his seed.
45:22 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.
45:23 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.
45:24 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:
45:25 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.
45:26 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.
