Ben Sira 49:11-16

11 How can we praise Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the Lord's right hand, ¹

12 as was Joshua son of Jehozadak. They rebuilt the Lord's holy Temple, destined for eternal fame. ²

13 The memory of Nehemiah is also great. He rebuilt the ruined walls of Jerusalem, installing the gates and bars. He rebuilt our homes. ³

14 No one else like Enoch has ever walked the face of the earth, for he was taken up from the earth.

15 No one else like Joseph has ever been born; even his bones were honored.

16 Shem, Seth, and Enosh were highly honored, but Adam's glory was above that of any other living being.

Cross References

• 1. 49.11Ezra 3.2;Haggai 2.23.
• 2. 49.12Haggai 1.1, 12.
• 3. 49.13Nehemiah 6.15.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Greek adds] the greatest of his brothers and the pride of his people; [Hebrew and one ancient translation place these words in 50.1.]
• [b]. even . . . honored; [or] the Lord watched over his body.
• [c]. [Hebrew] Shem, Seth, and Enosh; [Greek] Shem and Seth among people.