Sirach 48

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.	1 Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.
2 It was he who brought famine on them and decimated them in his zeal.	2 It was he who brought famine on them and decimated them in his zeal.
3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, three times also he brought down fire.	3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, three times also he brought down fire.
4 How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? -	4 How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah! Has anyone reason to boast as you have? -
5 rousing a corpse from death, from Sheol, by the word of the Most High;	5 rousing a corpse from death, from Sheol, by the word of the Most High;
6 dragging kings down to destruction, and high dignitaries from their beds;	6 dragging kings down to destruction, and high dignitaries from their beds;
7 hearing a rebuke on Sinai and decrees of punishment on Horeb;	7 hearing a rebuke on Sinai and decrees of punishment on Horeb;
8 anointing kings as avengers, and prophets to succeed you;	8 anointing kings as avengers, and prophets to succeed you;
9 taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses;	9 taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses;
10 designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God's wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts offathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.	10 designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God's wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts offathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
11 Blessed, those who wil see you, and those who have fal en asleep in love; for we too shal certainlyhave life.	11 Blessed, those who wil see you, and those who have fal en asleep in love; for we too shal certainlyhave life.
12 Such was Elijah, who was enveloped in a whirlwind; and Elisha was fil ed with his spirit; throughout hislife no ruler could shake him, and no one could subdue him.	12 Such was Elijah, who was enveloped in a whirlwind; and Elisha was fil ed with his spirit; throughout hislife no ruler could shake him, and no one could subdue him.
13 No task was too hard for him, and even in death his body prophesied.	13 No task was too hard for him, and even in death his body prophesied.
14 In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvel ous.	14 In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvel ous.
15 Despite al this the people did not repent, nor did they give up their sins, until they were herded out oftheir country and scattered al over the earth;	15 Despite al this the people did not repent, nor did they give up their sins, until they were herded out oftheir country and scattered al over the earth;
16 only a few of the people were left, with a ruler of the House of David. Some of them did what pleasedthe Lord, others piled sin on sin.	16 only a few of the people were left, with a ruler of the House of David. Some of them did what pleasedthe Lord, others piled sin on sin.
17 Hezekiah fortified his city, and laid on a water-supply inside it; with iron he tunnelled through the rockand constructed storage-tanks.	17 Hezekiah fortified his city, and laid on a water-supply inside it; with iron he tunnelled through the rockand constructed storage-tanks.
18 In his days Sennacherib invaded and sent Rabshakeh; he lifted his hand against Zion, and boastedloudly in his arrogance.	18 In his days Sennacherib invaded and sent Rabshakeh; he lifted his hand against Zion, and boastedloudly in his arrogance.
19 Then their hearts and hands trembled, they felt the pangs of a woman in labour,	19 Then their hearts and hands trembled, they felt the pangs of a woman in labour,
20 but they cal ed on the merciful Lord, stretching out their hands towards him. Swiftly the Holy Oneheard them from heaven and delivered them by the agency of Isaiah;	20 but they cal ed on the merciful Lord, stretching out their hands towards him. Swiftly the Holy Oneheard them from heaven and delivered them by the agency of Isaiah;
21 he struck the camp of the Assyrians and his Angel annihilated them.	21 he struck the camp of the Assyrians and his Angel annihilated them.
22 For Hezekiah did what is pleasing to the Lord, and was steadfast in the ways of David his father,enjoined on him by the prophet Isaiah, a great man trustworthy in his vision.	22 For Hezekiah did what is pleasing to the Lord, and was steadfast in the ways of David his father,enjoined on him by the prophet Isaiah, a great man trustworthy in his vision.
23 In his days the sun moved back; he prolonged the life of the king.	23 In his days the sun moved back; he prolonged the life of the king.
24 In the power of the spirit he saw the last things, he comforted the mourners of Zion,	24 In the power of the spirit he saw the last things, he comforted the mourners of Zion,
25 he revealed the future to the end of time, and hidden things long before they happened.	25 he revealed the future to the end of time, and hidden things long before they happened.