Sirach 49

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
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.	1 And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.
2 For he grieved over our betrayals, and destroyed the abominable idols.	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 turned to God with his whole heart, and, though times were evil, he practiced virtue.	3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.
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.	4 Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?
5 So he gave over their power to others, their glory to a foolish foreign nation	5 Who raisedst up a dead man from below, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.
6 Who burned the holy city and left its streets desolate, As JEREMIAH had foretold;	6 Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.
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.	7 Who heardest judgment in Sina, and in Horeb the judgments of vengeance.
8 EZEKIEL beheld the vision and described the different creatures of the chariot;	8 Who anointedst kings to penance, and madest prophets successors after thee.
9 He also referred to JOB, who always persevered in the right path.	9 Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.
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.	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 can we fittingly praise ZERUBBABEL, who was like a signet ring on God's right hand,	11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.
12 And Jeshua, Jozadak's son? In their time they built the house of God; They erected the holy temple, destined for everlasting glory.	12 For we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such.
13 Extolled be the memory of NEHEMIAH! He rebuilt our ruined walls, Restored our shattered defenses, and set up gates and bars.	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 Few on earth have been made the equal of ENOCH, for he was taken up bodily.	14 No word could overcome him, and after death his body prophesied.
15 Was ever a man born like JOSEPH? Even his dead body was provided for.	15 In his life he did great wonders, and is death he wrought miracles.
16 Glorious, too, were SHEM and SETH and ENOS; but beyond that of any living being was the splendor of ADAM.	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.