Bible, Revised Standard Version
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Sir.49
[1] The memory of Josiah is like a blending of incense
prepared by the art of the perfumer;
it is sweet as honey to every mouth,
and like music at a banquet of wine.
[2] He was led aright in converting the people,
and took away the abominations of iniquity.
[3] He set his heart upon the Lord;
in the days of wicked men he strengthened godliness.
[4] Except David and Hezekiah and Josiah
they all sinned greatly,
for they forsook the law of the Most High;
the kings of Judah came to an end;
[5] for they gave their power to others,
and their glory to a foreign nation,
[6] who set fire to the chosen city of the sanctuary,
and made her streets desolate,
according to the word of Jeremiah.
[7] For they had afflicted him;
yet he had been consecrated in the womb as prophet,
to pluck up and afflict and destroy,
and likewise to build and to plant.
[8] It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory
which God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim.
[9] For God remembered his enemies with storm,
and did good to those who directed their ways aright.
[10] May the bones of the twelve prophets
revive from where they lie,
for they comforted the people of Jacob
and delivered them with confident hope.
[11] How shall we magnify Zerubbabel?
He was like a signet on the right hand,
[12] and so was Jeshua the son of Jozadak;
in their days they built the house
and raised a temple holy to the Lord,
prepared for everlasting glory.
[13] The memory of Nehemiah also is lasting;
he raised for us the walls that had fallen,
and set up the gates and bars
and rebuilt our ruined houses.
[14] No one like Enoch has been created on earth,
for he was taken up from the earth.
[15] And no man like Joseph has been born,
and his bones are cared for.
[16] Shem and Seth were honored among men,
and Adam above every living being in the creation.