Sirach 49

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 The memory of Josiah is like a blend of fragrances composed by the work of a perfumer.
2 For he grieved over our betrayals, and destroyed the abominable idols.	2 His remembrance will be sweet like honey in every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.
3 He turned to God with his whole heart, and, though times were evil, he practiced virtue.	3 He was divinely directed for the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of impiety.
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 And he guided his heart toward the Lord. And during the days of sinners, he strengthened piety.
5 So he gave over their power to others, their glory to a foolish foreign nation	5 Other than David, and Hezekiah, and Josiah, everyone committed sin.
6 Who burned the holy city and left its streets desolate, As JEREMIAH had foretold;	6 For the kings of Judah abandoned the law of the Most High, and they held contempt for the fear of God.
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 For they gave their kingdom to foreigners, and their glory to a strange people.
8 EZEKIEL beheld the vision and described the different creatures of the chariot;	8 They set fire to the chosen city of sanctity, and they made its streets desolate, in accord with the hand of Jeremiah.
9 He also referred to JOB, who always persevered in the right path.	9 For they treated him wickedly, though he was consecrated as a prophet from his mother’s womb: to overthrow, and to root out, and to destroy, and also to rebuild and to renew.
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 It was Ezekiel who saw a vision of glory, which was revealed to him with the chariot of the Cherubim.
11 How can we fittingly praise ZERUBBABEL, who was like a signet ring on God's right hand,	11 For it called to mind the enemies under the figure of rain, to do good to those who have revealed the upright ways.
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 And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up from their place. For they strengthened Jacob, and they redeemed themselves with a virtuous faith.
13 Extolled be the memory of NEHEMIAH! He rebuilt our ruined walls, Restored our shattered defenses, and set up gates and bars.	13 How will we magnify Zerubbabel? For he, too, was like a signet on the right hand.
14 Few on earth have been made the equal of ENOCH, for he was taken up bodily.	14 So also was Jesus, the son of Jozadak, who in their days built the house, and raised up a holy temple to the Lord, as a preparation for everlasting glory.
15 Was ever a man born like JOSEPH? Even his dead body was provided for.	15 And may Nehemiah be remembered for a long time. He raised up for us the walls that had been torn down. And he made firm the gates and the bars. He raised up our houses.
16 Glorious, too, were SHEM and SETH and ENOS; but beyond that of any living being was the splendor of ADAM.	16 No one has been born upon the earth like Enoch. And he was also taken up from the earth.
	17 And there was no one like Joseph, who was a man born to be foremost among his brothers, the firmament of his clan, a guide to his brethren, the mainstay of his people.
	18 And his bones were visited, and after death, they prophesied.
	19 Shem and Seth obtained glory among men. And above every soul, at the very beginning, was Adam.