Sirach 49

KING JAMES BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 The remembrance of Josias is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary: it is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as musick at a banquet of wine.	1 And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.
2 He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.	2 He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.
3 He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he established the worship of God.	3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.
4 All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they forsook the law of the most High, even the kings of Juda failed.	4 Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?
5 Therefore he gave their power unto others, and their glory to a strange nation.	5 Who raisedst up a dead man from below, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.
6 They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made the streets desolate, according to the prophecy of Jeremias.	6 Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.
7 For they entreated him evil, who nevertheless was a prophet, sanctified in his mother's womb, that he might root out, and afflict, and destroy; and that he might build up also, and plant.	7 Who heardest judgment in Sina, and in Horeb the judgments of vengeance.
8 It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims.	8 Who anointedst kings to penance, and madest prophets successors after thee.
9 For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain, and directed them that went right.	9 Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.
10 And of the twelve prophets let the memorial be blessed, and let their bones flourish again out of their place: for they comforted Jacob, and delivered them by assured hope.	10 Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
11 How shall we magnify Zorobabel? even he was as a signet on the right hand:	11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.
12 So was Jesus the son of Josedec: who in their time builded the house, and set up an holy temple to the Lord, which was prepared for everlasting glory.	12 For we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such.
13 And among the elect was Neemias, whose renown is great, who raised up for us the walls that were fallen, and set up the gates and the bars, and raised up our ruins again.	13 Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.
14 But upon the earth was no man created like Enoch; for he was taken from the earth.	14 No word could overcome him, and after death his body prophesied.
15 Neither was there a young man born like Joseph, a governor of his brethren, a stay of the people, whose bones were regarded of the Lord.	15 In his life he did great wonders, and is death he wrought miracles.
16 Sem and Seth were in great honour among men, and so was Adam above every living thing in creation.	16 For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.
	17 And there was left but a small people, and a prince in the house of David.
	18 Some of these did that which pleased God: but others committed many sine.
	19 Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.
	20 In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.
	21 Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in pain as women in travail.
	22 And they called upon the Lord who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.
	23 He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.
	24 He overthrew the army of the Assyrians, and the angel of the Lord destroyed them.
	25 For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.
	26 In his days the sun went backward, and he lengthened the king's life.
	27 With a great spirit he saw the things that are to come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Sion.
	28 He shewed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things before they came.