Sirach 49

1 The memory of Josiah is like a blend of incense prepared by a perfumer’s skill. It is sweet as honey in every mouth and like music at a wine banquet.

2 He acted uprightly by turning the people back and removed the detestable things of lawlessness.

3 He directed his heart toward the Lord and strengthened devoutness in the days of the lawless.

4 Apart from David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all the kings committed offenses, for the kings of Judah abandoned the law of the Most High and came to an end.

5 They gave their horn to others and their glory to a foreign nation.

6 That nation burned the chosen city of the holy place and made its streets desolate,

7 as Jeremiah had prophesied. They mistreated him, though he had been made holy as a prophet in his mother’s womb to uproot, afflict, and destroy, and likewise to build and plant.

8 Ezekiel saw the glorious vision that God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim.

9 He also remembered the enemies in the rainstorm and did good to those who keep their ways straight.

10 May the bones of the twelve prophets flourish again from their resting places, for they comforted Jacob and ransomed the people through faithful hope.

11 How can we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet on the right hand.

12 So was Jeshua son of Jozadak. In their days they built the house and raised a holy temple for the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.

13 Nehemiah’s memory is also great. He raised our fallen walls, set up gates and bars, and rebuilt our ruined homes.

14 No one like Enoch was created on earth, for he was taken up from the earth.

15 Nor was a man born like Joseph, a leader of his brothers and support of the people; even his bones were remembered with care.

16 Shem and Seth were honored among humanity, and Adam above every living creature in creation.