Simon, the son of Onias, repaired the house of the Lord and strengthened the temple.
He built it double in height and placed a wall encircling the
sanctuary.
A large pond was dug out, as big as the sea.
He protected the people from injury and besieging.
How glorious he was when he came forth out of the sanctuary, bright as the morning star, as the full moon, or as the sun, shining as the rainbow, or like a rose blossom during spring, like lilies on the water, like the green cedars of Lebanon in the summer, like lit incense, like a vessel made of beaten gold, like all manner of precious stones, and like a fruitful olive tree.