Sirach 48

1 Then Elijah the prophet arose like fire, and his word burned like a torch.

2 He brought famine on the people and reduced their number by his zeal.

3 By the Lord’s word he shut up heaven and likewise brought down fire three times.

4 How glorious you were, Elijah, in your marvelous deeds! Who can boast of being like you?

5 You raised a corpse from death and from Hades by the word of the Most High.

6 You brought kings down to destruction and honored men down from their beds.

7 You heard rebuke at Sinai and judgments of vengeance at Horeb.

8 You anointed kings to bring repayment and prophets to succeed you.

9 You were taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses.

10 You were appointed for rebukes at the proper times, to calm wrath before it became fury, to turn a father’s heart toward his son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

11 Blessed are those who saw you and those who fell asleep in love, for we too will surely live.

12 Elijah was covered by a whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with his spirit. During his life he was not shaken by any ruler, and no one overpowered him.

13 No word overcame him, and after he fell asleep in death his body prophesied.

14 He performed wonders in his life, and at his death his works were marvelous.

15 Despite all this, the people did not change their hearts or turn away from their sins until they were plundered from their land and scattered throughout the earth.

16 Only a small number of the people remained, along with a ruler in David’s house. Some of them did what pleased God, but others multiplied sins.

17 Hezekiah fortified his city and brought water into its center. He cut through hard rock with iron and built reservoirs for water.

18 In his days Sennacherib came up and sent Rabshakeh, and he set out. He raised his hand against Zion and boasted in his arrogance.

19 Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they writhed like women in labor.

20 They called on the merciful Lord and stretched out their hands toward him. The Holy One quickly heard them from heaven and ransomed them through Isaiah.

21 He struck the Assyrian camp, and his messenger destroyed them.

22 Hezekiah did what pleased the Lord and held firmly to the ways of his ancestor David, as Isaiah the prophet commanded. Isaiah was great and trustworthy in his vision.

23 In his days the sun moved backward, and God prolonged the king’s life.

24 With a great spirit Isaiah saw the last things and comforted those who mourned in Zion.

25 He revealed what would happen to the end of the age and hidden things before they occurred.