Moses
Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 1. He brought from him a man of mercy Who found favor in the eyes of all flesh, Beloved by God and man, Moses, whose remembrance is blessed. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 2. He made him equal in glory to the saints And magnified him in the fears of his enemies. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 3. With his words he caused signs to cease, And the Lord honored him in the presence of kings. He gave him commands for His people And showed him His glory. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 4. He sanctified him because of his faithfulness and gentleness And chose him out of all flesh. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 5. He caused him to hear His voice, Then led him into the darkness And gave him the commandments face to face: The law of life and knowledge, To teach Jacob His covenant And His judgments to Israel.
Aaron
Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 6. He exalted Aaron, a holy man like himself, His brother from the tribe of Levi. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 7. He established an everlasting covenant with him And gave him the priesthood of the people. He blessed him with orderly behavior And covered him with an adornment of glory. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 8. He clothed him with the consummation of boasting And confirmed him with instruments of strength: The linen breeches, the long robe, and the ephod. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 9. And He encircled him with tassels, With many golden bells all around, To sound their ring at his steps, Making their ringing sound As he walked in the temple, A reminder for the children of his people. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 10. With a holy garment, with gold and hyacinth And purple cloth with embroidered work, With the oracle of judgment, the Urim and Thummim, With woven scarlet by the work of an artisan, Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 11. With entwined scarlet, the work of a skilled craftsman, With precious stones engraved like a seal In a setting of gold, in a cut stone, a jeweler's work, With a memorial in engraved letters, According to the number of the tribes of Israel. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 12. He set a golden crown over the priestly turban, A figure of the holy seal, a distinction of honor, The work of an expert, Things desirable to the eyes, richly adorned! Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 13. There was never so much beauty before his time. No outsider was ever clothed in these garments, Only his sons and his offspring perpetually. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 14. His sacrifices shall be a whole burnt offering Perpetually, twice every day. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 15. Moses ordained him and anointed him with holy oil. It was an eternal covenant for him And for his seed forever, To minister to the Lord and serve as priest; To bless His people in His name. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 16. He chose him from all the living To offer sacrifices to the Lord, Incense and sweet-smelling offerings as a remembrance To make atonement for Your people. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 17. He gave him authority with His commandments In covenants of judgments, To teach Jacob the testimonies And to enlighten Israel in His law. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 18. Outsiders conspired against him And were jealous of him in the desert, The men who gathered with Dothan and Abiram, And even the company of Korah with anger and wrath. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 19. The Lord saw and was not pleased, And they were brought to an end by the anger of His wrath. He performed wonders against them To consume them in His flaming fire. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 20. He also brought Aaron glory And gave him an inheritance. He divided the firstfruits for him; He prepared bread in abundance from the firstfruits. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 21. For they will eat the sacrifices to the Lord, Which He gave to him and to his seed. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 22. But in the land of the people He will have no inheritance, And there is no portion for him among the people; For the Lord Himself is his portion and his inheritance.
Phineas
Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 23. Then Phineas the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, When he showed zeal in the fear of the Lord; And he stood fast when the people turned away, By the goodness of the eagerness of his soul, And he made atonement for Israel. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 24. Therefore He established a covenant of peace with him, To be in charge of the sanctuary And leader of his people, That the priesthood might be with him and his seed forever. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 25. A covenant was also established with David, The son of Jesse from the tribe of Judah. The heritage of the king is from son to son only, And the heritage of Aaron is for his seed. Wisdom of Sirach 45, verse 26. May He give you wisdom in your heart To judge His people in righteousness, That their good things might not disappear, And their glory throughout their generations.