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It was Simon, the son of Onias, the high priest,
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The foundation was built by him to the height of the double walls,
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In his days, a water cistern was dug,
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He planned to save his people from ruin,
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How glorious he was when the people gathered around him
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He was like the morning star among clouds,
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like the sun shining on the temple of the Most High,
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like roses in the days of first fruits,
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like fire and incense in the censer,
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like an olive tree loaded with fruit,
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When he put on his glorious robe,
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When he received the portions out of the priests’ hands,
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All the sons of Aaron in their glory,
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Finishing the service at the altars,
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he stretched out his hand to the cup of libation,
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Then the sons of Aaron shouted.
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Then all the people together hurried,
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The singers also praised him with their voices.
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And the people implored the Lord Most High,
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Then he went down, and lifted up his hands
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He bowed himself down in worship the second time,
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Now bless the God of all,
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May he grant us joyfulness of heart,
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to entrust his mercy with us,
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With two nations my soul is vexed,
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Those who sit on the mountain of[a] Samaria, the Philistines,
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I have written in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge,
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Blessed is he who will exercise these things.
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For if he does them, he will be strong in all things, for the light of the Lord is his guide.[b]