| 1 | The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer: |
| 2 | His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine. |
| 3 | He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness. |
| 4 | And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness. |
| 5 | Except David, and Ezechias, and Josias, all committed sin. |
| 6 | For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God. |
| 7 | So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation. |
| 8 | They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias. |
| 9 | For 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. |
| 10 | It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims. |
| 11 | For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways. |
| 12 | And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith. |
| 13 | How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand; |
| 14 | In 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. |
| 15 | And 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. |
| 16 | No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth. |
| 17 | Nor 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: |
| 18 | And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied. |
| 19 | Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning. |
