Ecclesiasticus, 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.

1. The memory of Josiah is like blended incense carefully prepared by the perfumer; it is like delicious honey to every mouth, like music during a banquet.

2. He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.

2. He followed the right way in converting the people and removing the horror of idolatry.

3. He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he established the worship of God.

3. He set his heart on the Lord and succeeded in having godliness prevail over wickedness.

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.

4. With the exception of David, Hezekiah and Josiah, the kings were very sinful men. they abandoned the Law of the Most High bringing an end to the kings of Judah.

5. Therefore he gave their power unto others, and their glory to a strange nation.

5. They surrendered their power and their honor to foreign nations.

6. They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made the streets desolate, according to the prophecy of Jeremias.

6. Their enemies set fire to the holy city, making its streets desolate

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.

7. as Jeremiah had foretold.

8. It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims.

8. It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of Glory when the Lord showed it to him above the chariot of the cherubim.

9. For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain, and directed them that went right.

9. He also remembered Job, the one who always followed the way of justice.

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.

10. As for the twelve prophets, may their bones spring to life from the tomb, for they comforted the people of Jacob and saved them with confident hope.

11. How shall we magnify Zorobabel? even he was as a signet on the right hand:

11. Can we ever adequately praise Zerubbabel who was like a ring at the finger of God, and

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.

12. likewise Joshua, son of Jozadak? They were men who, in their days, built the Temple to the Lord, a sanctuary destined for everlasting glory.

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.

13. Lasting too is the memory of Nehemiah, who rebuilt our ruined walls, provided gates and bars and rebuilt our homes.

14. But upon the earth was no man created like Enoch; for he was taken from the earth.

14. No one on earth was created to equal Enoch for he was taken up from the earth.

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.

15. And never was there a man like Joseph, the greatest among his brothers, the leader of his people; his bones were honored.

16. Sem and Seth were in great honour among men, and so was Adam above every living thing in creation.

16. Shem and Seth were exalted among men, but Adam's glory was greater than any other living being.