Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Sirach on Hezekiah and Isaiah



Sirach Chapter 48


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17 Ezekias [Hezekiah] fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof: he digged the hard rock with iron, and made wells for waters.




18 In his time Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against Sion, and boasted proudly.



19 Then trembled their hearts and hands, and they were in pain, as women in travail.



20 But they called upon the Lord which is merciful, and stretched out their hands toward him: and immediately the Holy One heard them out of heaven, and delivered them by the ministry of Esay.



21 He smote the host of the Assyrians, and his angel destroyed them.



22 For Ezekias had done the thing that pleased the Lord, and was strong in the ways of David his father, as Esay [Isaiah] the prophet, who was great and faithful in his vision, had commanded him.



23 In his time the sun went backward, and he lengthened the king's life.



24 He saw by an excellent spirit what should come to pass at the last, and he comforted them that mourned in Sion.



25 He shewed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things or ever they came.


Sirach Chapter 49



1 The remembrance of Josias is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary: it is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as musick at a banquet of wine.



2 He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.



3 He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he established the worship of God.



4 All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they forsook the law of the most High, even the kings of Juda failed.



5 Therefore he gave their power unto others, and their glory to a strange nation.


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