Sirach 49

¹ The name JOSIAH is like blended incense, made lasting by a skilled perfumer. Precious is his memory, like honey to the taste, like music at a banquet.

² For he grieved over our betrayals, and destroyed the abominable idols.

³ He turned to God with his whole heart, and, though times were evil, he practiced virtue.

⁴ Except for David, Hezekiah and Josiah, they all were wicked; They abandoned the Law of the Most High, these kings of Judah, right to the very end.

⁵ So he gave over their power to others, their glory to a foolish foreign nation

⁶ Who burned the holy city and left its streets desolate, As JEREMIAH had foretold;

⁷ for they had treated him badly who even in the womb had been made a prophet, To root out, pull down, and destroy, and then to build and to plant.

⁸ EZEKIEL beheld the vision and described the different creatures of the chariot;

⁹ He also referred to JOB, who always persevered in the right path.

¹⁰ Then, too, the TWELVE PROPHETS-- may their bones return to life from their resting place!-- Gave new strength to Jacob and saved him by their faith and hope.

¹¹ How can we fittingly praise ZERUBBABEL, who was like a signet ring on God's right hand,

¹² And Jeshua, Jozadak's son? In their time they built the house of God; They erected the holy temple, destined for everlasting glory.

¹³ Extolled be the memory of NEHEMIAH! He rebuilt our ruined walls, Restored our shattered defenses, and set up gates and bars.

¹⁴ Few on earth have been made the equal of ENOCH, for he was taken up bodily.

¹⁵ Was ever a man born like JOSEPH? Even his dead body was provided for.

¹⁶ Glorious, too, were SHEM and SETH and ENOS; but beyond that of any living being was the splendor of ADAM.