Sir 45
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He made him like to the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood
in fear of him.
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By his words he caused the wonders to cease, and he made him glorious in the sight
of kings, and gave him a commandment for his people, and shewed him part of his glory.
4
He sanctified him in his faithfulness and meekness, and chose him out of all men.
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He made him to hear his voice, and brought him into the dark cloud, and gave him commandments
before his face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might teach Jacob his
covenants, and Israel his judgements.
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He exalted Aaron, an holy man like to him, even his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
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An everlasting covenant he made with him and gave him the priesthood among the people;
he beautified him with beautiful ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of glory.
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He put upon him perfect glory; and strengthened him with rich garments, with breeches,
with a long robe, and the ephod.
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And he compassed him with pomegranates, and with many golden bells round about, that
as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple,
for a memorial to the children of his people;
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With an holy garment, with gold, and blue silk, and purple, the work of the embroiderer,
with a breastplate of judgement, and with Urim and Thummim;
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With twisted scarlet, the work of the cunning workman, with precious stones graven
like seals, and set in gold, the work of the jeweller, with a writing engraved for
a memorial, after the number of the tribes of Israel.
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He set a crown of gold upon the mitre, wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament
of honour, a costly work, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.
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Before him there were none such, neither did ever any stranger put them on, but only
his children and his children’s children perpetually.
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Their sacrifices shall be wholly consumed every day twice continually.
15
Moses consecrated him, and anointed him with holy oil: this was appointed to him by
an everlasting covenant, and to his seed, so long as the heavens should remain, that
they should minister to him, and execute the office of the priesthood, and bless the
people in his name.
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He chose him out of all men living to offer sacrifices to the Lord, incense, and a
sweet savour, for a memorial, to make reconciliation for his people.
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He gave to him his commandments, and authority in the statutes of judgements, that
he should teach Jacob the testimonies, and inform Israel in his laws.
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Strangers conspired together against him, and maligned him in the wilderness, even
the men that were of Dathan’s and Abiron’s side, and the congregation of Core, with
fury and anger.
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This the Lord saw, and it displeased him, and in his wrathful indignation were they
consumed: he did wonders upon them, to consume them with the fiery flame.
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But he made Aaron more honourable, and gave him an heritage, and divided to him the
first fruits of the increase; especially he prepared bread in abundance:
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For they eat of the sacrifices of the Lord, which he gave to him and his seed.
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Nevertheless in the land of the people he had no inheritance, neither had he any portion
among the people: for the Lord himself is his portion and inheritance.
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The third in glory is Phinees the son of Eleazar, because he had zeal in the fear
of the Lord, and stood up with good courage of heart: when the people were turned
back, and made reconciliation for Israel.
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Therefore was there a covenant of peace made with him, that he should be the chief
of the sanctuary and of his people, and that he and his posterity should have the
dignity of the priesthood for ever:
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According to the covenant made with David son of Jesse, of the tribe of Juda, that
the inheritance of the king should be to his posterity alone: so the inheritance of
Aaron should also be to his seed.
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God give you wisdom in your heart to judge his people in righteousness, that their
good things be not abolished, and that their glory may endure for ever.