1 The memory of Josiahis like a blend of incense,prepared with skill by a perfumer.It will be sweet in the mouth, like honey,like music at a wine-drinking party.
2 He succeeded in turning aroundthe people,and he removed unlawful displaysof idolatry.
3 He directed his heart toward the Lord;at a time of lawlessness,he made devotion to God stronger.
4 Except for David, Hezekiah, and Josiah,all of them struck a bad chord,because they abandonedthe Law of the Most High.The kings of Judah came to an end.
5 They gave their power to othersand their glory to a foreign nation,
6 which set fire to Jerusalem, the chosen city, and its sanctuaryand made its streets desolate,as Jeremiah said.
7 They mistreated him,even though he had been set apartfrom the womb to be a prophetto uproot, ruin, destroy,and likewise to build and plant.
8 Ezekiel saw a vision of glory,when God showed himthe chariot of the winged creatures.
9 He remembered the enemiesin the storm,and favored those keepingto a righteous path.
10 May the bones of the twelve prophetssprout new life from theirburial places,because they comforted Jacoband rescued themwith hopeful confidence.
11 How should we praise Zerubbabel?He also was like a signet ringon the right hand,
12 as was Joshua, Jozadak’s son.In their time, they built a houseand raised a holy temple to the Lord,prepared for everlasting glory.
13 Nehemiah’s memory is lasting;he who raised our fallen walls,set up gates and bars,and rebuilt our buildings.
14 No one was created on the earthwho was like Enoch,for he was taken up from the earth.
15 Nor has any man been born like Joseph,a leader of his brothers,a support for the people.They took special careeven of his bones.
16 Shem and Seth were honoredamong human beings,and above every living thing in creationwas Adam.