49:1
The memory of Josiah is like blended incense prepared by the perfumer's art; it is as sweet as honey to all mouths, and like music at a wine feast.
49:2
He took the right course, of converting the people, he rooted out the iniquitous abominations,
49:3
he set his heart on the Lord, in godless times he upheld the cause of religion.
49:4
Apart from David, Hezekiah and Josiah, they all heaped wrong on wrong, they abandoned the Law of the Most High: the kings of Judah disappeared;
49:5
for they handed their power over to others and their honour to a foreign nation.
49:6
The holy, chosen city was burnt down, her streets were left deserted,
49:7
as Jeremiah had predicted; for they had ill-treated him, though consecrated a prophet in his mother's womb, to tear up and afflict and destroy, but also to build up and to plant.
49:8
Ezekiel saw a vision of glory which God showed to him above the chariot of the great winged creatures,
49:9
for he mentioned the enemies in the downpour to the advantage of those who follow the right way.
49:10
As for the twelve prophets, may their bones flower again from the tomb, since they have comforted Jacob and redeemed him in faith and hope.
49:11
How shall we extol Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand,
49:12
so too was Joshua son of Jozadak; they who in their days built the Temple and raised a sanctuary sacred to the Lord, destined to everlasting glory.
49:13
Great too is the memory of Nehemiah, who rebuilt our walls which lay in ruins, erected the bolted gates and rebuilt our houses.
49:14
No one else has ever been created on earth to equal Enoch, for he was taken up from earth.
49:15
And no one else ever born has been like Joseph, the leader of his brothers, the prop of his people; his bones received a visitation.
49:16
Shem and Seth were the most honoured of men, but above every living creature is Adam.
Previous
Next