Josiah and Jeremiah
Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 1. The remembrance of Josiah is like the composition of incense Prepared by the work of the perfumer. In every mouth it is sweet like honey And like the music at a banquet with wine. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 2. He led in the conversion of the people, And he removed the abominations of lawlessness. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 3. He directed his heart to the Lord, And in days of lawlessness he strengthened godliness. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 4. Except for David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, All offended continually, For they forsook the law of the Most High. The kings of Judah failed, Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 5. For they gave their power to others And their glory to a foreign nation. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 6. They set fire to the chosen city of the sanctuary And desolated her streets Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 7. According to the word of Jeremiah; For they did him evil, He who was sanctified as a prophet while still inside his mother, To root out, to afflict, and to destroy, And likewise to build and to plant.
Ezekiel and the Twelve Prophets
Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 8. Ezekiel himself saw a vision of glory, Which the Lord showed him on a chariot of cherubim. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 9. For He remembered his enemies with a thunderstorm And did good to those who directed their ways aright. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 10. May He indeed revive the bones Of the twelve prophets from their place. For they encouraged the people of Jacob And redeemed them with steadfast hope.
Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah
Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 11. How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was surely like a seal upon the right hand, Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 12. And so was Jeshua the son of Jozadak, Who in their days built the house And raised up a holy temple to the Lord, One prepared unto eternal glory. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 13. There is the lasting memory of Nehemiah, Who raised for us the walls that had fallen; And he established gates and locks And raised again our home sites.
Others of Honor
Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 14. No one like Enoch was created upon the earth, For he himself was taken up from the earth. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 15. Neither has a man like Joseph been born, The leader of his brothers and the support of his people; And they watched over his bones. Wisdom of Sirach 49, verse 16. Shem and Seth were honored among men, And Adam over every living thing in creation.