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Sirach 1 1 The greatest among his brethren, the glory of his people, was SIMON the priest, son of Jochanan, In whose time the house of God was renovated, in whose days the temple was reinforced. 在兄弟中最大的是，最受人尊敬的是敖尼雅的儿子，大司祭西满，在世时，修理了上主的殿宇；在位时，巩固了圣殿； 2 In his time also the wall was built with powerful turrets for the temple precincts; 双层的墙垣，圣殿周围高大的支柱，都是他建造的； 3 In his time the reservoir was dug, the pool with a vastness like the sea's. 在他的任期内，挖凿了蓄水池，水池广大如海； 4 He protected his people against brigands and strengthened his city against the enemy. 5 How splendid he was as he appeared from the tent, as he came from within the veil! 当他从帐幕后的至圣所出来，民众群集他身边时，他是多么有光彩； 6 Like a star shining among the clouds, like the full moon at the holyday season; 他如云间的晨星，又如望日的圆月； 7 Like the sun shining upon the temple, like the rainbow appearing in the cloudy sky; 他照耀人世，有如照耀至高者的圣殿的太阳；有如云彩中灿烂的虹霓， 8 Like the blossoms on the branches in springtime, like a lily on the banks of a stream; Like the trees of 如春天的玫瑰花如溪畔的百合，如夏天的黎巴嫩树枝； 9 like the fire of incense at the sacrifice; Like a vessel of beaten gold, studded with precious stones; 10 Like a luxuriant olive tree thick with fruit, like a cypress standing against the clouds; 他如开花结果的橄榄树，如高耸云霄的扁柏。 11 Vested in his magnificent robes, and wearing his garments of splendor, As he ascended the glorious altar and lent majesty to the court of the sanctuary. 当他穿著荣耀的礼服，披上十分华美的装饰， 升到至圣的祭坛前时，使圣所的周围墙壁上，也闪闪生光； 12 When he received the sundered victims from the priests while he stood before the sacrificial wood, His brethren ringed him about like a garland, like a stand of cedars on 当他从司祭们手中，取过一份祭肉，站在祭坛火炉旁，兄弟们环围着他时，他像黎巴嫩山上的嫩香柏； 13 All the sons of Aaron in their dignity clustered around him like poplars, With the offerings to the LORD in their hands, in the presence of the whole assembly of 14 Once he had completed the services at the altar with the arranging of the sacrifices for the Most High, 他们手中拿着奉献给上主的祭品时，正是如此。 15 And had stretched forth his hand for the cup, to offer blood of the grape, And poured it out at the foot of the altar, a sweet-smelling odor to the Most High God, 16 The sons of Aaron would sound a blast, the priests, on their trumpets of beaten metal; A blast to resound mightily as a reminder before the Most High. 那时，亚郎的众子孙，高声欢呼，吹起用金属打成的号角，发出响亮的声音，使至高者听见而记起自己的百姓； 17 Then all the people with one accord would quickly fall prostrate to the ground In adoration before the Most High, before the Holy One of Israel. 那时，全体民众一起急速俯伏在地，钦崇他们的上主天主，全能至高的天主； 18 Then hymns would re-echo, and over the throng sweet strains of praise resound. 歌咏团高唱赞美歌，声音宏亮悦耳； 19 All the people of the land would shout for joy, praying to the Merciful One, As the high priest completed the services at the altar by presenting to God the sacrifice due; 民众向至高的上主谢罪，在仁慈者面前祈祷，直到奉事上主的礼仪完毕，直到他们完成自己的任务为止。 20 Then coming down he would raise his hands over all the congregation of Israel. The blessing of the LORD would be upon his lips, the name of the LORD would be his glory. 以后，他便下来，向以色列子民全体会众举手，并亲口将上主的祝福赐给他们，且因上主的名号而自豪； 21 Then again the people would lie prostrate to receive from him the blessing of the Most High. 为领受至高者的祝福，百姓又俯伏在地，再举行祈祷。 22 2 And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters men's growth from their mother's womb, and fashions them according to his will! 现在，请你们赞颂万有的天主，因为他在全世界，处处行了伟大的工程，他从我们还在母胎时，就增加的我们的岁月，按他的仁慈恩待了我们。 23 May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; 愿他赐给我们愉快的心灵，并使以色列现时平安，永远平安； 24 May his goodness toward us endure in Israel as long as the heavens are above. 愿他的仁慈不离开我们，并在他指定的时日，拯救我们。愿他的仁慈，常存在西满身上，并与他立订丕乃哈斯的盟约，这盟约要与他和他的后裔，永存不灭，如天之永恒。 25 3 4 My whole being loathes two nations, the third is not even a people: 26 5 Those who live in Seir and Philistia, and the degenerate folk who dwell in Shechem. 她们就是住在色依尔山上的民族，和培肋舍特人，以及那住在舍根的愚昧民族。 27 6 Wise instruction, appropriate proverbs, I have written in this book, I, Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, as they gushed forth from my heart's understanding. 28 Happy the man who meditates upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart! 注意这些事的人，是有福的；心中思念这些事的，必成为智者； 29 If he puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear of the LORD is his lamp. 实行这些事的，他必是无所不能的，因为上主的光明，是他的向导。 Footnotes（注解） 1 [1-21] The son of Jochanan here mentioned was Simon II, in whose time as high priest (219-196 B.C.) great works were accomplished for the benefit of public worship and welfare (Sirach 50:1-4). The author, a contemporary of this high priest, describes in great detail and by numerous comparisons the impression of awful majesty received, the lofty joy aroused, at sight of the high priest fully vested entering the sanctuary, ascending the altar (Sirach 50:6-11), and, in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, encircled by assistant priests bearing offerings, sacrificing the burnt offering on the Day of Atonement, while the trumpets blast and the people bow down in adoration of the Most High (Sirach 50:12-17). The hymnody, the joyful shouts of the multitude, and finally the high priest's blessing, in which he pronounces-once only in the year, on this occasion-the holy name of Yahweh, climax the description of this most solemn Jewish liturgical function (Sirach 50:18-21). 2 [22-24] Praise and thanksgiving are given to God for his wondrous works, and a blessing is invoked on man that he may enjoy peace and gladness of heart and the abiding goodness of the Most High. 3 [25-26] The author's abhorrence of the pagan Edomites (Idumeans), Philistines and Samaritans can be understood in the light of Old Testament thinking, which does not always distinguish between hatred of evildoers and hatred of the evil they do. 4 [25] Not even a people: the Samaritans. 5 [26] Seir: Mount Seir in the territory of the Edomites. Shechem: a city in Samaria. 6 [27-29] These verses contain the subscription of the author, Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, to his long and beautiful treatise on wisdom as applying to all of human life, integrating it under the direction of the fear of the Lord. |
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