1. The greatest of his brothers and the pride of his people was the High Priest Simon son of Onias, who repaired the Temple
2. and laid the foundation for the high double wall and the fortifications of the Temple.
3. The reservoir, as big as the bronze tank, was dug while he was in office.
4. He made plans to protect his people from attack and fortified the city so that it could withstand a siege.
5. How glorious he was when he came out of the Most Holy Place!
6. He was like the morning star shining through the clouds, like the full moon,
7. like the sun shining on the Temple of the Most High, like the rainbow gleaming in glory against the clouds,
8. like roses in springtime, like lilies beside a stream, like the cedars of Lebanon in summer,
9. like burning incense, like a cup made of hammered gold and decorated with all kinds of jewels,
10. like an olive-tree loaded with fruit, like a cypress-tree towering into the clouds.