Sir 49:1 The remembrance of Josias is like the
composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary: it is
sweet as honey in all mouths, and as musick at a banquet of wine.
Sir 49:2 He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and
took away the abominations of iniquity.
Sir 49:3 He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly
he established the worship of God.
Sir 49:4 All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they
forsook the law of the most High, even the kings of Juda failed.
Sir 49:5 Therefore he gave their power unto others, and their glory to a
strange nation.
Sir 49:6 They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made the streets
desolate, according to the prophecy of Jeremias.
Sir 49:7 For they entreated him evil, who nevertheless was a prophet,
sanctified in his mother's womb, that he might root out, and afflict, and
destroy; and that he might build up also, and plant.
Sir 49:8 It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him
upon the chariot of the cherubims.
Sir 49:9 For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain,
and directed them that went right.
Sir 49:10 And of the twelve prophets let the memorial be blessed, and let
their bones flourish again out of their place: for they comforted Jacob, and
delivered them by assured hope.
Sir 49:11 How shall we magnify Zorobabel? even he was as a signet on the
right hand:
Sir 49:12 So was Jesus the son of Josedec: who in their time builded the
house, and set up an holy temple to the Lord, which was prepared for
everlasting glory.
Sir 49:13 And among the elect was Neemias, whose renown is great, who raised
up for us the walls that were fallen, and set up the gates and the bars, and
raised up our ruins again.
Sir 49:14 But upon the earth was no man created like Enoch; for he was taken
from the earth.
Sir 49:15 Neither was there a young man born like Joseph, a governor of his
brethren, a stay of the people, whose bones were regarded of the Lord.
Sir 49:16 Sem and Seth were in great honour among men, and so was Adam above
every living thing in creation.