Ecclesiasticus 45-48

Chapter 47

And after him rose up Nathan to prophesy in the time of David.

2 As is the fat taken away from the peace offering, so was David chosen out of the children of Israel. 3 He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs. 4 Slew he not a giant, when he was yet but young? and did he not take away reproach from the people, when he lifted up his hand with the stone in the sling, and beat down the boasting of Goliath? 5 For he called upon the Most High Lord; and He gave him strength in his right hand to slay that mighty warrior, and set up the horn of His people. 6 So the people honored him with ten thousands, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in that He gave him a crown of glory. 7 For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and brought to naught the Philistines his adversaries, and brake their horn in sunder unto this day. 8 In all his works he praised the Holy One Most High with words of glory; with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved Him that made him. 9 He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs. 10 He beautified their feasts, and set in order the solemn times until the end, that they might praise His holy name, and that the temple might sound from morning. 11 The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever: He gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of glory in Israel.

12 After him rose up a wise son, and for his sake he dwelt at large. 13 Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honored; for God made all quiet round about him, that he might build a house in His name, and prepare His sanctuary forever. 14 How wise was thou in thy youth and, as a flood, filled with understanding! 15 Thy soul covered the whole earth, and thou filled it with dark parables. 16 Thy name went far unto the islands; and for thy peace thou was beloved. 17 The countries marveled at thee for thy songs, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations. 18 By the name of the Lord God, which is called the Lord God of Israel, thou did gather gold as tin and did multiply silver as lead. 19 Thou did bow thy loins unto women, and by thy body thou was brought into subjection. 20 Thou did stain thy honor, and pollute thy seed: so that thou brought wrath upon thy children, and was grieved for thy folly. 21 So the kingdom was divided, and out of Ephraim ruled a rebellious kingdom. 22 But the Lord will never leave off His mercy, neither shall any of His works perish, neither will He abolish the posterity of His elect, and the seed of him that loves Him He will not take away: wherefore He gave a remnant unto Jacob, and out of him a root unto David.

23 Thus rested Solomon with his fathers, and of his seed he left behind him Roboam, even the foolishness of the people, and one that had no understanding, who turned away the people through his counsel. There was also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, and showed Ephraim the way of sin: 24 And their sins were multiplied exceedingly, that they were driven out of the land. 25 For they sought out all wickedness, till the vengeance came upon them.

Chapter 48

Then stood up Elijah the prophet as fire, and his word burned like a lamp. 2 He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number. 3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and also three times brought down fire. 4 O Elijah, how was thou honored in thy wondrous deeds! and who may glory like unto thee! 5 Who did raise up a dead man from death, and his soul from the place of the dead, by the word of the Most High: 6 Who brought kings to destruction, and honorably men from their bed: 7 Who heard the rebuke of the Lord in Sinai, and in Horeb the judgment of vengeance: 8 Who anointed kings to take revenge, and prophets to succeed after him: 9 Who was taken up in a whirlwind of fire, and in a chariot of fiery horses: 10 Who was ordained for reproofs in their times, to pacify the wrath of the Lord’s judgment, before it brake forth into fury, and to turn the heart of the father unto the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and slept in love; for we shall surely live. 12 Elijah it was, who was covered with a whirlwind: and Elisha was filled with his spirit: while he lived, he was not moved with the presence of any prince, neither could any bring him into subjection. 13 No word could overcome him; and after his death his body prophesied. 14 He did wonders in his life, and at his death were his works marvelous. 15 For all this the people repented not, neither departed they from their sins, till they were spoiled and carried out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth: yet there remained a small people, and a ruler in the house of David: 16 Of whom some did that which was pleasing to God, and some multiplied sins.

17 Hezekiah fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof: he dug 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 Isaiah. 21 He smote the host of the Assyrians, and his angel destroyed them. 22 For Hezekiah had done the thing that pleased the Lord, and was strong in the ways of David his father, as 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 showed what should come to pass forever, and secret things or ever they came.