Sirach
49:1 The remembrance of Josias is like the composition of the perfume that is
made by the art of the apothecary: it is sweet as honey in all mouths,
and as musick at a banquet of wine.
49:2 He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took
away the abominations of iniquity.
49:3 He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he
established the worship of God.
49:4 All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they
forsook the law of the most High, even the kings of Juda failed.
49:5 Therefore he gave their power unto others, and their glory to a strange
nation.
49:6 They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made the streets
desolate, according to the prophecy of Jeremias.
49:7 For they entreated him evil, who nevertheless was a prophet, sanctified
in his mother's womb, that he might root out, and afflict, and destroy;
and that he might build up also, and plant.
49:8 It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him upon
the chariot of the cherubims.
49:9 For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain, and
directed them that went right.
49:10 And of the twelve prophets let the memorial be blessed, and let their
bones flourish again out of their place: for they comforted Jacob, and
delivered them by assured hope.
49:11 How shall we magnify Zorobabel? even he was as a signet on the right
hand:
49:12 So was Jesus the son of Josedec: who in their time builded the house,
and set up an holy temple to the Lord, which was prepared for
everlasting glory.
49:13 And among the elect was Neemias, whose renown is great, who raised up
for us the walls that were fallen, and set up the gates and the bars,
and raised up our ruins again.
49:14 But upon the earth was no man created like Enoch; for he was taken from
the earth.
49:15 Neither was there a young man born like Joseph, a governor of his
brethren, a stay of the people, whose bones were regarded of the Lord.
49:16 Sem and Seth were in great honour among men, and so was Adam above every
living thing in creation.
