Ben Sira Reader

And He brought a sign to them, and consumed them in blazing fire; and He added His glory to Aharon, and gave him His inheritance.

The holy first-part He gave him bread, and fires of ADONAI consumed them. The shewbread portiopn, and a gift to him and his seed.

Yet in their land he would not inherit, and in their midst he would not receive an inheritance; the fires of ADONAI are his portion and inheritance, in the midst of the children of Israel.

And also, Pinḥas ben El'azar, in his strength, a third portion. In his zealousness to the God of all, and he stood at the people's breach.

And who, in his nobility, his heart, atoned for the children of Israel; thus he also was given a law, an eternal covenant to administer the Sanctuary.

That would be his and his seeds, a great priesthood for all time. And also His covenant with David son of Yishai of the tribe of Judah.

A portion of fire before His glory, the portion of Aharon to all his seed. And now, bless, please, ADONAI the good.

He crowns you with glory, He gives you a wise heart; that you not forget your goodness, and your strength for all generations.

A warrior, son of valor, Yehoshua son of Nun, minister to Moshe in prophecy; who was made a guardian in his days, a great salvation to His chosen ones.

To avenge vengeance on the enemies, and to inherit Israel. How admirable when he stretched his hand, when he waved his javelin at a city.

Who is it who could stand against him? For the wars of ADONAI were fought.

Was it not by his hand that the sun stood still, a single day as if it were two?

For he called to God the Highest, as his enemies surrounding forced him; and God the Highest answered him, with stones of ice and hail.

He threw them down on the enemy nation, and as they fled destroyed them all; so that all battling nations knew, that ADONAI guards their wars.

And he also was fully following God, and in the days of Moses did piety; he and Kalev son of Yefuneh, to hold fast against the wild assembly.

To turn anger from the congregation, and to end their evil report; thus the two of them were spared from the six hundred thousand infantry.

To bring them to their inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey; and He gave to Kalev wisdom and until old age it stayed with him.

To guide him upon the heights of the land, and also his seed took an inheritance; that all the seed of Yaakov know that it is good to fully follow after Adonai.

And the judges, each man by his name, every one who didn't self-glorify; and didn't durn away from following God, may their memories be blessed.

[May their essences flower as a rose], and may their names pass on to their children!

Beloved of his people, desired of deeds, chosen from the womb of his mother; a nazirite of ADONAI in prophecy, Shmuel, the priestly judge. At the word of God he established a monarchy, and he anointed princes over hte people.

With the commandment of ADONAI he commanded the congregation, and the God of Yaakov took note of them.

In his faithful mouth he expounded a vision, and in his trusted word guidance.

And he also called to God, as his enemies surrounding forced him; as he offered up a lamb's suet, ADONAI thundered from heaven.

With a mighty crash His voice was heard, and He subdued the nobility of the enemy, and destroyed all the Philistine tyrants.

And when it came time for his final rest, he testified to ADONAI and His anointed.

Did I take bribes or secret payments from anyone? And not one person answered him. And until the the end of his time, he was found right in the eyes of ADONAI.

And in the eyes of all life, and also after his death he expounded.

And he told the king his ways and lifted from the ground his voice in prophecy.

And also after him arose Natan, to stand forth against David.

For just as the suet is the highest of the holy offering, so too David from Israel.

With lions he played as with a goat, and with bears as a calf from the east.

In his youth he struck down the warrior, and causing him eternal pain and shame; with a flick of his hand on the sling, and he broke the majesty of Golyat.

For he called to God the Highest, and He gave strength in his right hand; to hold back a man knowing in war, and to raise the horn of Israel.

Thus the girls sang to him, and established him with "ten thousand." When crowned in a turban he fought, and all around him subjugated enemies.

And he went against the Philistine foe, and to this day shattered their horn.

In all his deeds he gave thanks, to God the Highest with words of glory. In all his heart he loved his Maker, and every day he thanked him with music.

Melodies, songs, he established for the temple, and the sound of psalms and harps he made.

And he gave splendor and beauty and honor to the festivals year after year; as he blessed the Holy Name, before the morning he raised justice.

Also ADONAI passed over his transgression, and He raised his horn forever; and He gave him a law of monarchy, and his throne He established up to Jerusalem.

And on his account arose after him a wise son, dwelling in security.

Shlomo was king in prosperous days, and God caused him quiet all around.

He who built a house for His name, and he founded an eternal Sanctuary.

How wise were you in your youth! Your instruction flowed like the Nile!

Land covered in Your wisdom, and Your song praised on the heights.

With song, parable, riddle, and quote, all the people were amazed.

You were called in the Glorious Name, that which was called over Israel; and amassed gold like iron, and like lead multiplied silver.

And you gave your lust to women, and they ruled you in your pride.

And you brought a blemish on your glory, and profaned your bead, to bring anger on your descendants, and moaning upon your deathbead.

To a portion of the people to two tribes, and from Ephraim a kingdom of violence.

But God will not forsake piety, and will not let His words fall to the ground; He will not cut off from His chosen grandson or great-grandson, and the seed of His beloved He will not destroy.

And He gave to Yaakov a remnant, and to the house of David a root from them; and Shlomo lay down to die hopeless, and help withered from him.

Wide in stupidity and lacking in wisdom, Reḥov'am whose counsel made the people unruly; until one arose – may he have no memory! – Yerov'am son on Nevaṭ, who sinned and caused sin to Israel.

And he gave to Ephraim a stumbling-block, to force them from their land; and he increased his sin greatly, and to all evil he was addicted.

Until a prophet like fire arose, whose words were like a flaming oven.

And he shattered their staff of bread, and in his zealousness reduced them greatly.

With a word of God, the heavens stopped; and rained three fires.

How awesome are you, Eliyahu, and who is like you in wonder?

Who raised a corpse from death, and from Sheol, as ADONAI willed.

Who brought kings down to the pit, and nobles up from their sickbeds.

Who anointed the one who fulfilled retribution, and the prophet who replaced you.

Who heard reproofs at Sinai, and at Ḥorev judgements of vengeance.

Who was taken up in a whirlwind, in a regiment of heaven's fire.

Who was written truly for the time, to stop anger before the rage of God; to return the hearts of fathers to their sons, and to establish the tribes of Israel.

Happy is one who sees you and dies, and happy are you for you still live.

Eliyahu, who in the treasuries is hidden, and whose spirit filled Elisha; for many twofold signs and wonders came from all that came from his mouth.

In his days he never cowered before anything, and no mortal power ruled his spirit. Not a thing was too wondrous for him, and from below him his flesh was created.

In his life he did wonders, and in his death powerful deeds.

With all this the people did not repent; and did not cease from their sins; until they were torn from their land, and scattered in all the earth.

And a few remained with Judah, and there still was a ruler from the house of David. And there were from among them who did right, and there were from among them who did evil.

Yeḥizqiyahu strengthened his city by bringing into it water; and he cut through rock with bronze, and dammed the mountains for a pool.

In his days Sanḥeriv arose, and sent out Ravshaqeh; and he lifted his hand against Zion, and blasphemed God in his pride.

Then they were appalled at his pride, and writhed like a woman in later.

And they called to God the Highest, and they spread out their hands.

And He smote the camp of Assyria, and they were devastated in a plague.

Thus did Yeḥizqiyahu good, and was strong in the ways of David [as Yeshayahu the prophet commanded him, praised among the prophets.]

[In his days the sun stood, and added to the life of the king.]

With a great spirit he saw the end, and comforted the mourners of Zion.

Eternally he told them what would be, and secrets before they occured.

And they erected the holy temple; Which was prepared for everlasting glory.

Nehemiah, glorious is his memory; Who raised up our ruins: And healed our breaches; And set up gates and bars.

Few have been created upon the earth like Enoch (?); And he also was taken within (?).

Like Joseph was ever a man born? And also his body was visited.

And Shem and Seth and Enosh were visited (H); And above every living thing was the glory of Adam.

Great one of his brethren, and glory of his people, Was Simon, son of Johanan (H), the priest; In whose generation the house was repaired (?); And in whose days the temple was fortified.

In whose generation a cistern was digged (H); A pit (or store) like the sea (?) in its abundance.

In whose days a wall was built; A bulwark of refuge (?) in the temple of the King.

Who took thought for his people against the spoiler; And fortified his city against the besieger.

How glorious was he when he looked forth from the tent; And when he went out from the house of the veil!

As the morning star from amid thick clouds; And as the full moon in the days of (?) the solemn feast.

And as the sun dawning upon (?) the temple of the King; And as rainbow seen in the cloud.

As budding branch (?) in the days of the solemn feast; And as the lotus by the watercourses. As flower of Lebanon in the days of summer; And as fire of incense upon the meal-offering:

In (or As) a gold plated vessel, and a chalice (or weighty), That is set with pleasant stones.

As a green olive full of berries; And as a wild olive tree with branches full of sap.

When he put on robes of honour; And clothed himself with robes of beauty. When he ascended the altar of majesty; And made glorious the precinct of the sanctuary.

When he received the pieces out of the hand of his brethren; While himself standing by the altar-fires: Round him a crown of sons, Like cedar plants in Lebanon. And they compassed him about like willows of the brook: All the sons of Aaron in their glory:

With the fire-offerings of the Lord in their hand, Before all the congregation of Israel.

Until he finished serving the altar, And arranging the fires of the Most High.

Then sounded the sons of Aaron, the priests, With trumpets of turnery.

And they sounded, and made their glorious voice heard; To bring to remembrance (?) before the Most High.

All flesh together hasted, And fell down upon their faces to the earth: To worship before the Most High; Before the Holy One of Israel.

And the choir uttered its voice; And over the multitude they made sweet melody (?).

And all the people of the land chanted, In prayer before the Merciful. Until he finished serving the altar; And had brought its customary offerings unto it.

Then he came down, and lifted up his hands Over all the congregation of Israel. And the blessing of the Lord was on his lips; And in the name of the Lord he gloried.

And they bowed down again a second time, The people all of them, before him.

Now bless ye the Lord, the God of Israel, Which doeth wonderously in the land. That bringeth up man from the womb; And maketh him according to his will.

May he give you wisdom of heart; And may there be (?) peace among you.

May his mercy stand fast with Simon; And may he confirm to him the covenant of Phinehas, Which he executed (?) unto him and unto his seed, As the days of heaven.

Two nations my soul abhorreth; And the third is no people:

Thou hast kept back my flesh from corruption; And hast delivered my foot from the hand of Sheol. Thou hast delivered me from the evil report of the people; From the scourge of (?) the tongue, and from the lip of them that go aside to lies. Thou wast with me against them that rose up against me; Thou hast holpen me according to thy great mercy:

Out of the snare of them that watched for my halting (?); And from the hand of them that sought my life. From many troubles thou hast saved me; And from chokings of flaming fire..

From flames of a fire not blown (?); From the womb of the deep....

From cunning lips, and weavers of lies; And the arrows of a deceitful tongue.

And my soul drew near unto death; And my life to Sheol beneath.

And I turned around, and there was none that helped me; And I looked for one that would succour, and there was none.

And I remembered the mercies of the Lord; And his lovingkindnesses which are from everlasting. He that delivereth them that trust in him; And redeemeth them from all evil.

And I lifted up my voice from the earth; And from the gates of Sheol I cried.

And I exalted the Lord, saying, Thou art my Father; For thou art the mighty one of my salvation. Leave me not in the day of trouble; In the day of wasteness and desolation.

I will praise thy name continually; And I will remember thee with prayer. Then the Lord heard my voice; And gave ear unto my supplication.

And he ransomed me from all evil; And freed me in the day of trouble. Therefore I gave thanks, and I will sing praise; And I will bless the name of the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of praises; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that keepeth Israel; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that formeth all; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that redeemeth Israel; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that gathereth the outcasts of Israel; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that buildeth his city and his sanctuary; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that maketh the horn of the house of David to bud; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that chose the sons of Zadok to be priests; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Shield of Abraham; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Rock of Isaac; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Mighty One of Jacob; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto him that chose Zion; For his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the King of the kings of kings; For his mercy endureth for ever. And he will lift up the horn of his people: A praise for all his saints; Even for the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.

I was a youth; And I delighted in her, and sought her. My foot trod in her truth; O my Lord, from my youth I learned wisdom.

And I prayed a prayer in my youth; And I found knowledge abundantly.

Her yoke (?) was a glory to me; And to my teacher will I give thanks.

I thought to benefit; And I would not turn when I found it (?).

My soul longed for her; And I would not turn my face from her.

I gave my soul after her; And for ever and ever I will not swerve… My hand opened her gates; And I looked for her (?), and beheld her (S); And in pureness I found her. And I gat me (?) understanding from her beginning; Therefore........

My inward parts were hot (?) as an oven for her, to behold her; Therefore I possessed her as a good possession.

The Lord gave me the reward of my lips; And with my tongue will I give him thanks.

Turn unto me, O foolish ones; And lodge in my house of learning.

How long shall ye lack these things, And your soul be very thirsty?

I opened my mouth and spake of her, Get ye wisdom in possession without money.

And (?) bring your necks into her yoke; And let your soul take up her burden. She is nigh to them that seek her; And he that giveth his soul findeth her.