Sirach
As found in the Greek Septuagint
GNB
Chapter 48
The Glory of God in History (continued from chapter 44)
Sirach 48:1 Then there arose the fiery prophet Elijah, whose words blazed like a torch.
Sirach 48:2 He brought a famine on the people, and many of them died because of his persistence.
Sirach 48:3 Speaking in the name of the Lord, he kept the rain from coming, and on three occasions he called down fire.
Sirach 48:4 Elijah, your miracles were marvelous! No one else can boast of such deeds!
Sirach 48:5 In the name of the Most High, you brought a dead man back to life.
Sirach 48:6 You brought a famous king down to sickness and death.
Sirach 48:7 At Sinai you heard the Lord rebuke you and declare his determination to punish his enemies.
Sirach 48:8 You anointed a king to be the instrument of that punishment, and a prophet to take your place.
Sirach 48:9 You were taken up to heaven in a fiery whirlwind, a chariot drawn by fiery horses.
Sirach 48:10 The scripture says that you are ready to appear at the designated time, to cool God's anger before it breaks out in fury; that you "will bring parents and children together again," and restore the tribes of Israel.
Sirach 48:11 Fortunate are those who live to see you come, as well as those who have already died in love, for we too shall live.
Sirach 48:12 When Elijah was hidden by the whirlwind, Elisha was filled with his spirit. As long as he lived, he was not afraid of rulers, and they could not make him do as they wished.
Sirach 48:13 Nothing was too hard for him. Even when he was dead, his body worked a miracle.
Sirach 48:14 In life and in death he preformed amazing miracles.
Sirach 48:15 But in spite of all this, the people did not abandon their sinful ways until they were taken from their land as prisoners and scattered all over the world. This left the nation few in number, but those who remained were still ruled by the descendants of David.
Sirach 48:16 Some of the people did what was pleasing to the Lord, but others committed sin after sin.
Sirach 48:17 Hezekiah prepared his city to resist a siege and provided it with a water supply. He had a tunnel built through solid rock with iron tools and had cisterns built to hold the water.
Sirach 48:18 During his reign Sennacherib attacked the city and sent his chief official from Lachish. He challenged Jerusalem and boasted arrogantly.
Sirach 48:19 The people lost their courage and shook with fear; they were in pain, like a woman in labor.
Sirach 48:20 But they prayed to the merciful Lord, the Holy One in heaven, who quickly answered their prayers and sent Isaiah to save them.
Sirach 48:21 The Lord struck the Assyrian camp; his angel wiped them out.
Sirach 48:22 Yes, Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord and firmly followed the example of his ancestor David. This was what was commanded by the great prophet Isaiah, whose visions were trusted.
Sirach 48:23 He made the sun move backward and lengthened the king's life.
Sirach 48:24 He comforted the mourners in Jerusalem. His powerful spirit looked into the future,
Sirach 48:25 and he predicted what was to happen before the end of time, hidden things that had not yet occurred.