The Word Am I

The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 49 -

The praise of Josias, of Jeremias, Ezechiel, and the twelve prophets. Also of Zorobabel, Jesus the son of Josedech, Nehemias, Enoch, Joseph, Seth, Sem, and Adam.

1
The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer:
2
His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine.
3
He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.
4
And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
5
Except David, and Ezechias, and Josias, all committed sin.
6
For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God.
7
So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation.
8
They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.
9
For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother’s womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew.
10
It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims.
11
For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.
12
And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith.
13
How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand;
14
In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec? who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
15
And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses.
16
No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth.
17
Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people:
18
And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied.
19
Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning.

The praise of Josias, of Jeremias, Ezechiel, and the twelve prophets. Also of Zorobabel, Jesus the son of Josedech, Nehemias, Enoch, Joseph, Seth, Sem, and Adam.

1
The memory of Josiah is like the composition of incense prepared by the work of the perfumer. It will be sweet as honey in every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.
2
He did what was right in the reforming of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.
3
He set his heart right toward the Lord. In lawless days, he made godliness prevail.
4
Except David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all were wicked, because they abandoned the law of the Most High. The kings of Judah came to an end.
5
They gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation.
6
They set the chosen city of the sanctuary on fire and made her streets desolate, as it was written by the hand of Jeremiah.
7
For they mistreated him; yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet, to root out, to afflict, to destroy and likewise to build and to plant.
8
Ezekiel saw the vision of glory, which God showed him on the chariot of the cherubim.
9
For truly he remembered the enemies in rainstorm, and to do good to those who directed their ways aright.
10
Also of the twelve prophets,(a) may their bones flourish again out of their place. He comforted the people of Jacob, and delivered them by confident hope.
11
How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand.
12
So was Jesus the son of Josedek, who in their days built the house, and exalted a(b) people holy to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
13
Also of Nehemiah the memory is great. He raised up for us fallen walls, set up the gates and bars, and rebuilt our houses.
14
No man was created upon the earth like Enoch, for he was taken up from the earth.
15
Nor was there a man born like Joseph, a leader of his kindred, a supporter of the people. Even his bones were cared for.
16
Shem and Seth were honored among men, but above every living thing in the creation was Adam.

Footnotes

(a)49:10 The remainder of this line is omitted by the best authorities.
(b)49:12 Some ancient authorities read temple.
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