Sirach 49

1The name of Josiah is like blended incense, the work of a perfumer; his memory is sweet as honey to the mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.

2For he had compassion on our backsliding, and removed the abominations of vanity.

3He directed his heart to God, and in days of violence he showed loyalty.

4Except for David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all of them acted corruptly; the kings of Judah abandoned the law of the Most High, until they came to an end.

5And they gave their horn backward, and their glory to a foolish foreign nation.

6They set the holy city on fire, and made its streets desolate, by the hand of Yirmeyahu; for they afflicted him, though he had been formed in the womb as a prophet.

7to uproot and to tear down and to destroy, to overthrow; and likewise to build and to plant and to raise high.

8Ezekiel saw a vision, and described the kinds of the chariot.

9He also mentioned Job, who upheld all the ways of righteousness.

10And as for the twelve prophets, may their bones flourish from where they lie; for they healed Jacob and delivered them by faithful hope.

11How shall we praise Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand.

12So also Yehoshua son of Jehozadak, who in distress raised up an altar; and they raised up a holy temple, established for everlasting glory.

13Nehemiah—may his memory be honored—who raised up our ruins, and healed our destruction, and set up doors and bars.

14Few have been created on earth like Enoch, and he too was taken from the earth.

15Like Joseph, a man was born; and even his body was cared for.

16Shem and Seth were honored, and above every living thing was Adam’s glory.