Sirach 49

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
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 blending of incense prepared by the art of the perfumer; it is sweet as honey to every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.
2 For he grieved over our betrayals, and destroyed the abominable idols.	2 He was led aright in converting the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.
3 He turned to God with his whole heart, and, though times were evil, he practiced virtue.	3 He set his heart upon the Lord; in the days of wicked men he strengthened godliness.
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 Except David and Hezekiah and Josiah they all sinned greatly, for they forsook the law of the Most High; the kings of Judah came to an end;
5 So he gave over their power to others, their glory to a foolish foreign nation	5 for they gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation,
6 Who burned the holy city and left its streets desolate, As JEREMIAH had foretold;	6 who set fire to the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made her streets desolate, according to the word of Jeremiah.
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 had afflicted him; yet he had been consecrated in the womb as prophet, to pluck up and afflict and destroy, and likewise to build and to plant.
8 EZEKIEL beheld the vision and described the different creatures of the chariot;	8 It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory which God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim.
9 He also referred to JOB, who always persevered in the right path.	9 For God remembered his enemies with storm, and did good to those who directed their ways aright.
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 May the bones of the twelve prophets revive from where they lie, for they comforted the people of Jacob and delivered them with confident hope.
11 How can we fittingly praise ZERUBBABEL, who was like a signet ring on God's right hand,	11 How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet on the 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.	12 and so was Jeshua the son of Jozadak; in their days they built the house and raised a temple holy to the Lord, prepared 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.	13 The memory of Nehemiah also is lasting; he raised for us the walls that had fallen, and set up the gates and bars and rebuilt our ruined houses.
14 Few on earth have been made the equal of ENOCH, for he was taken up bodily.	14 No one like Enoch has been created on earth, for he was taken up from the earth.
15 Was ever a man born like JOSEPH? Even his dead body was provided for.	15 And no man like Joseph has been born, and his bones are cared for.
16 Glorious, too, were SHEM and SETH and ENOS; but beyond that of any living being was the splendor of ADAM.	16 Shem and Seth were honored among men, and Adam above every living being in the creation.