> [[sirach-48|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-50|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 49 ## Chapter 49 ### Josiah and the Prophets 1 The name J OSIAH is like blended incense, ^sirach-49-1 made lasting by a skilled perfumer. Precious is his memory, like honey to the taste, like music at a banquet. 2 For he grieved over our betrayals, ^sirach-49-2 and destroyed the abominable idols. 3 He kept his heart fixed on God, ^sirach-49-3 and in times of lawlessness practiced virtue. 4 Except for David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, ^sirach-49-4 they all were wicked; They abandoned the Law of the Most High, these kings of Judah, right to the very end. 5 So he gave over their power to others, ^sirach-49-5 their glory to a foreign nation 6 Who burned the holy city ^sirach-49-6 and left its streets desolate, 7 As foretold by J EREMIAH. They mistreated him ^sirach-49-7 who even in the womb had been made a prophet, To root out, pull down, and destroy, and then to build and to plant. 8 E ZEKIEL beheld a vision ^sirach-49-8 and described the different creatures of the chariot; 9 He also referred to J OB, ^sirach-49-9 who always persevered in the right path. 10 Then, too, the T WELVE P ROPHETS — ^sirach-49-10 may their bones flourish with new life where they lie!— They gave new strength to Jacob and saved him with steadfast hope. ### The Heroes After the Exile 11 How to extol Z ERUBBABEL? ^sirach-49-11 He was like a signet ring on the right hand, 12 And J ESHUA, Jozadak’s son? ^sirach-49-12 In their time they rebuilt the altar And erected the holy temple, destined for everlasting glory. 13 Exalted be the memory of N EHEMIAH! ^sirach-49-13 He rebuilt our ruined walls, Restored our shattered defenses, and set up gates and bars. ### The Earliest Patriarchs 14 Few on earth have been created like E NOCH; ^sirach-49-14 he also was taken up bodily. 15 Was ever a man born like J OSEPH? ^sirach-49-15 Even his dead body was provided for. 16 Glorious, too, were S HEM and S ETH and E NOSH; ^sirach-49-16 but beyond that of any living being was the splendor of A DAM. \* (49:1] – [10) Ben Sira’s praise of King Josiah (vv. [1] – [3]) and of the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel and the minor prophets (vv. [7] – [10]) derives from their spirit of fidelity to the Lord and his Law (vv. [4] – [6], [10]). \* (49:11] – [13) The rebuilding of the Temple and the repair of the walls of the Holy City led to a restoration of religious worship and civil authority. \* (49:14] – [16) The patriarchs here mentioned were glorious because of their spirit of religion, i.e., their profound reverence for God and obedience to him. The splendor of Adam: suggests his direct origin from God ([Gn 1:26] – [27]; [2:7]). a. (49:1] – [2) [[2-kings-22|2 Kgs 22]]:1 – [2], [10] – [13], [19]; [23:4] – [15], [19] – [20], [24]; [2 Chr 34:1] – [7]. b. (49:7) [2 Kgs 25:9]; [2 Chr 36:19]. c. (49:7) [Jer 1:5], [10]. d. (49:8) ([[ezekiel-01|Ez 1]]:4] – [21]. e. (49:9) [[ezekiel-14|Ez 14]]:14, [20]. f. (49:11] – [12) ([[ezra-03|Ezr 3]]:2]; [Hg 1:12]; [Zec 3:1]. g. (49:13) [Neh 1:1] – [3:32]. h. (49:14) [Sir 44:16]; [Gn 5:18] – [24]. i. (49:15) [Gn] [37:39] [\-50]; ([[exodus-13|Ex 13]]:19]; [Jos 24:32]. j. (49:16) [Gn 1:26] – [30]; [2:7]; [4:25] – [26]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-48|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-50|Next →]]