Sirach 46

1 Joshua son of Nun was mighty in war and succeeded Moses in prophecies. As his name suggests, he became great in rescuing God’s chosen people and taking vengeance on the enemies who rose against them, so that he might give Israel its inheritance.

2 How glorious he was when he raised his hands and stretched out his sword against the cities!

3 Who before him stood so firmly? For he himself fought the Lord’s battles.

4 Was not the sun held back by his hand, so that one day became as long as two?

5 He called on the Most High, the mighty Lord, when enemies pressed him on every side, and the great Lord answered him with powerfully destructive hailstones.

6 He made the battle crash against the nation, and on the descent from Beth-horon he destroyed those who resisted, so that the nations might know his full armor and understand that his battle was fought before the Lord.

7 He followed the Mighty One. In the days of Moses, he and Caleb son of Jephunneh performed an act of mercy: they opposed the assembly, restrained the people from sin, and quieted their wicked complaining.

8 Of six hundred thousand infantry, these two were preserved to bring the people into their inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.

9 The Lord also gave Caleb strength, which remained with him into old age, so that he took possession of the heights of the land and his descendants received them as an inheritance.

10 Thus all Israel’s children could see that it is good to follow the Lord.

11 As for the judges, each known by name whose heart did not become unfaithful and who did not turn away from the Lord, may their memory be blessed.

12 May their bones flourish again from their resting places, and may their honored name be renewed in their children.

13 Samuel, the Lord’s prophet, was loved by his Lord. He established a kingdom and anointed rulers over God’s people.

14 By the Lord’s law he judged the assembly, and the Lord looked with care upon Jacob.

15 Because of his faithfulness he proved to be a prophet, and by his words he was known as trustworthy in visions.

16 He called on the mighty Lord when his enemies pressed him on every side, offering a nursing lamb.

17 The Lord thundered from heaven and made his voice heard with a mighty sound.

18 He wiped out the rulers of Tyre and all the leaders of the Philistines.

19 Before the time of his eternal sleep, Samuel called the Lord and his anointed one to witness:

“I have not taken anyone’s property, not even a sandal.”

No one accused him.

20 Even after he fell asleep in death he prophesied, showed the king his end, and raised his voice from the earth in prophecy to erase the people’s lawlessness.