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1The memory of Josiah[#2 K 22.1; 22.11-13; 23.3,25.]
is pleasant,
like skillfully mixed incense
or the taste of honey,
or like music at a banquet
where wine is served.
2He did right and led the nation
to get rid of its idols
and turn back to God.
3Many had rejected God's Law,
but Josiah was faithful
and encouraged others
to obey God.
4David, Hezekiah, and Josiah
were good kings,
but the other kings of Judah
sinned terribly
and rejected the Law
of God Most High.
So he took away their kingdom
5and gave their glorious power
to foreigners
6who burned down Jerusalem,[#Jr 1.4-10; 39.8.]
the city God had chosen
for his temple.
The city streets lay empty,
just as Jeremiah had said.
7He had been chosen as a prophet
before his birth
and was later told to speak
of doom and destruction,
of rising and rebuilding.
But the evil kings of Judah
mistreated him.
8Ezekiel saw a vision[#Ez 1.3-15.]
of the Lord's glory
above the living creatures
that were his chariot.
9God said that Job[#Job 1.1,8; Ez 14.14-20.]
always did what was right.
10I pray that the twelve prophets
will live on
in their descendants
because they helped Israel
stand firm during hard times
by giving them hope.
11What is the best way[#Ezra 3.2; Hg 2.23.]
to praise Zerubbabel?
He was like a valuable ring
on the Lord's right hand,
12as was Joshua son of Jozadak.[#Hg 1.1,12.]
They built a holy temple
for the Lord,
and it will always be famous.
13We should honor Nehemiah[#Ne 6.15.]
because he rebuilt
the homes in Jerusalem;
he repaired the city walls
and put in strong new gates.
14No one like Enoch
has ever been born—
he was taken up
from earth to heaven.
15And no one like Joseph
has ever been born—
he kept Israel from starving
and ruled his brothers;
then after his death,
the people of Israel
watched over his bones.
16Shem and Seth are also honored,
but of all God's creatures,
Adam was the greatest.