Chapter 49

¹The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer: ²His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine. ³He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness. ⁴And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness. ⁵Except David, and Ezechias, and Josias, all committed sin. ⁶For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God. ⁷So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation. ⁸They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias. ⁹For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother's womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew. ¹⁰It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims. ¹¹For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways. ¹²And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith. ¹³How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand; ¹⁴In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec? who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory. ¹⁵And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses. ¹⁶No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth. ¹⁷Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people: ¹⁸And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied. ¹⁹Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning.