Chapter 49

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The name ^d Heb: Gk The month is named after the moon of Josiah is like blended incense prepared by the skill of the perfumer; his memory ^e Heb: Gk we is as sweet as honey to every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine. ² He did what was right by reforming the people, and removing the wicked abominations. ³ He kept his heart fixed on the Lord; in lawless times he made godliness prevail.

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Except for David and Hezekiah and Josiah, all of them were great sinners, for they abandoned the law of the Most High; the kings of Judah came to an end. ⁵ They ^a This title is included in the Gk text. gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation, ⁶ who set fire to the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made its streets desolate, as Jeremiah had foretold. ^b Heb: Gk created ⁷ For they had mistreated him, who even in the womb had been consecrated a prophet, to pluck up and ruin and destroy, and likewise to build and to plant.

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It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory, which God ^c Heb Compare Lat Syr: Meaning of Gk uncertain showed him above the chariot of the cherubim. ⁹ For God ^d Heb: Gk Peoples declare also mentioned Job who held fast to all the ways of justice. ^e Heb: Gk was taken in exchange ¹⁰ May the bones of the Twelve Prophets send forth new life from where they lie, for they comforted the people of Jacob and delivered them with confident hope.

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How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand, ¹² and so was Jeshua son of Jozadak; in their days they built the house and raised a temple ^f Gk he holy to the Lord, destined for everlasting glory. ¹³ The memory of Nehemiah also is lasting; he raised our fallen walls, and set up gates and bars, and rebuilt our ruined houses.

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Few have ^g Syr: Heb Gk River ever been created on earth like Enoch, for he was taken up from the earth. ¹⁵ Nor was anyone ever born like Joseph; ^h Heb: Gk caused signs to cease even his bones were cared for. ¹⁶ Shem and Seth and Enosh were honored, ⁱ Gk him but above every other created living being was Adam.