Sirach 50:1–4

1 The leader of his brethren and the pride of his people

was Simon the high priest, son of Onias,

who in his life repaired the house,

and in his time fortified the temple.

2 He laid the foundations for the high double walls,

the high retaining walls for the temple enclosure.

3 In his days a cistern for water was quarried out,

a reservoir like the sea in circumference.

4 He considered how to save his people from ruin,

and fortified the city to withstand a siege.