Sirach 49

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The memory of Josiah is like blended incense prepared by the perfumer's art; it is as sweet as honey toal mouths, and like music at a wine feast.	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.
2 He took the right course, of converting the people, he rooted out the iniquitous abominations,	2 For he grieved over our betrayals, and destroyed the abominable idols.
3 he set his heart on the Lord, in godless times he upheld the cause of religion.	3 He turned to God with his whole heart, and, though times were evil, he practiced virtue.
4 Apart from David, Hezekiah and Josiah, they al heaped wrong on wrong, they abandoned the Law ofthe Most High: the kings of Judah disappeared;	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.
5 for they handed their power over to others and their honour to a foreign nation.	5 So he gave over their power to others, their glory to a foolish foreign nation
6 The holy, chosen city was burnt down, her streets were left deserted,	6 Who burned the holy city and left its streets desolate, As JEREMIAH had foretold;
7 as Jeremiah had predicted; for they had il -treated him, though consecrated a prophet in his mother'swomb, to tear up and afflict and destroy, but also to build up and to plant.	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.
8 Ezekiel saw a vision of glory which God showed to him above the chariot of the great winged creatures,	8 EZEKIEL beheld the vision and described the different creatures of the chariot;
9 for he mentioned the enemies in the downpour to the advantage of those who fol ow the right way.	9 He also referred to JOB, who always persevered in the right path.
10 As for the twelve prophets, may their bones flower again from the tomb, since they have comfortedJacob and redeemed him in faith and hope.	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.
11 How shal we extol Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand,	11 How can we fittingly praise ZERUBBABEL, who was like a signet ring on God's right hand,
12 so too was Joshua son of Jozadak; they who in their days built the Temple and raised a sanctuarysacred to the Lord, destined to everlasting glory.	12 And Jeshua, Jozadak's son? In their time they built the house of God; They erected the holy temple, destined for everlasting glory.
13 Great too is the memory of Nehemiah, who rebuilt our wal s which lay in ruins, erected the boltedgates and rebuilt our houses.	13 Extolled be the memory of NEHEMIAH! He rebuilt our ruined walls, Restored our shattered defenses, and set up gates and bars.
14 No one else has ever been created on earth to equal Enoch, for he was taken up from earth.	14 Few on earth have been made the equal of ENOCH, for he was taken up bodily.
15 And no one else ever born has been like Joseph, the leader of his brothers, the prop of his people; hisbones received a visitation.	15 Was ever a man born like JOSEPH? Even his dead body was provided for.
16 Shem and Seth were the most honoured of men, but above every living creature is Adam.	16 Glorious, too, were SHEM and SETH and ENOS; but beyond that of any living being was the splendor of ADAM.