1The memory of Josiah is like the composition of incense prepared by the work of the perfumer. It will be sweet as honey in every mouth, and like music at a banquet of wine.

2He did what was right in the reforming of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.

3He set his heart right toward the Lord. In lawless days, he made godliness prevail.

4Except David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all were wicked,
because they abandoned the law of the Most High.
The kings of Judah came to an end.

5They gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation.

6They set the chosen city of the sanctuary on fire and made her streets desolate, as it was written by the hand of Jeremiah.

7For they mistreated him; yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet,
to root out, to afflict, to destroy
and likewise to build and to plant.

8Ezekiel saw the vision of glory, which God showed him on the chariot of the cherubim.

9For truly he remembered the enemies in rainstorm, and to do good to those who directed their ways aright.

10Also of the twelve prophets, ⁸¹may their bones flourish again out of their place. He comforted the people of Jacob, and delivered them by confident hope.

11How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand.

12So was Jesus the son of Josedek, who in their days built the house,
and exalted a ⁸²people holy to the Lord,
prepared for everlasting glory.

13Also of Nehemiah the memory is great. He raised up for us fallen walls,
set up the gates and bars,
and rebuilt our houses.

14No man was created upon the earth like Enoch, for he was taken up from the earth.

15Nor was there a man born like Joseph, a leader of his kindred, a supporter of the people.
Even his bones were cared for.

16Shem and Seth were honored among men, but above every living thing in the creation was Adam.