- 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, 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 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.
Bible: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain, via eBible.org. Footnotes, section headings and acrostic letters are not reproduced.