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.
11. When Simon put on his magnificent robe and went up to the holy altar dressed in perfect splendour, he made the Temple courtyard a majestic sight.
12. When the priests handed him the portions of the sacrifice as he stood beside the altar with his assistants circling him like a wreath, he was like a young cedar of Lebanon surrounded by palm-trees.
13. Those were the descendants of Aaron in their splendid garments, standing before the whole assembly of Israel, holding in their hands the offering made to the Lord.
14. When he had finished the service at the altar and had arranged the sacrifice to the Most High, the Almighty,
15. he reached for a cup and poured out sweet-smelling wine at the foot of the altar as an offering to the Most High, the universal King.
16. Then the priests shouted and blew their trumpets of hammered silver. They made a loud noise that the Most High would hear.
17. All the people immediately bowed down with their faces to the ground to worship their Lord, the Almighty, the Most High.
18. Then the choir began to sing his praises, and the beautiful music rang out.
19. The people kept praying to the merciful Lord Most High until the service of worship had come to a close.
20. Then Simon came down from the altar, raised his hands over the whole assembly of Israel, and reverently pronounced the blessing from the Lord,
21. while the people bowed a second time in worship to receive that blessing from the Most High.