Sirach 45

1 From Jacob he brought forth Moses, a merciful man who found favor in the sight of all flesh and was loved by God and people. His memory is blessed.

2 He made him like the holy ones in glory and made him great, to the terror of his enemies.

3 Through Moses’ words he brought signs to an end. He glorified him before kings, gave him commands for his people, and showed him part of his glory.

4 He made him holy because of his faithfulness and gentleness and chose him from all flesh.

5 He let him hear his voice, led him into the dark cloud, and gave him the commands face to face—the law of life and knowledge—so that he might teach Jacob the covenant and Israel his judgments.

6 He exalted Aaron, a holy man like Moses, his brother from the tribe of Levi.

7 He established an everlasting covenant with him and gave him the priesthood of the people. He blessed him with beautiful adornment and wrapped him in a glorious robe.

8 He clothed him in perfect splendor and strengthened him with garments of authority: linen undergarments, a full-length robe, and a shoulder-piece.

9 He surrounded him with pomegranates and many golden bells so that they would sound as he walked and their noise would be heard in the temple as a memorial for the children of his people.

10 He clothed him with a holy garment of gold, blue, and purple, the work of an embroiderer, and with the oracle-piece of judgment and the clear signs of truth, made with twisted scarlet by a skilled artisan.

11 It held precious stones engraved like seals and set in gold, the work of a stonecutter, with an inscription engraved as a memorial for the number of Israel’s tribes.

12 He placed a gold crown above the turban, engraved with the seal of holiness—an honored ornament, a work of strength, beautifully adorned and delightful to the eyes.

13 Nothing so beautiful existed before him. No outsider ever wore these garments, but only Aaron’s sons and their descendants always.

14 His sacrifices are completely burned twice every day, continually.

15 Moses filled his hands and anointed him with holy oil. This became an everlasting covenant for him and his descendants as long as the heavens endure: to serve God, act as priests, and bless his people in his name.

16 God chose him from everyone alive to bring an altar offering to the Lord, incense, and a sweet fragrance as a memorial, and to make atonement for your people.

17 He gave him authority through his commands over covenant judgments, so that he might teach Jacob the witnesses and enlighten Israel through his law.

18 Outsiders conspired against Aaron and envied him in the wilderness—the men with Dathan and Abiram and the assembly of Korah—in fury and wrath.

19 The Lord saw it and was displeased, and they were destroyed in his furious wrath. He performed wonders against them and consumed them in his flaming fire.

20 Then he added to Aaron’s glory and gave him an inheritance. He allotted him the firstfruits of the first produce and prepared an abundance of bread for him first.

21 For the priests eat the Lord’s sacrifices, which he gave to Aaron and his descendants.

22 Yet Aaron has no inheritance in the people’s land and no share among the people, for the Lord himself is your share and inheritance.

23 Phinehas son of Eleazar was third in glory because he showed zeal in the fear of the Lord and stood firm when the people turned away, with the ready goodness of his soul. He made atonement for Israel.

24 Therefore a covenant of peace was established with him, appointing him leader of the holy place and of God’s people, so that he and his descendants would possess the dignity of the priesthood forever.

25 There was also a covenant with David son of Jesse from the tribe of Judah: the king’s inheritance passes only from son to son. Aaron’s inheritance likewise passes to his descendants.

26 May God give you wisdom in your hearts to judge his people in righteousness, so that their good things may not vanish and their glory may endure through their generations.