1And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.

2He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.

3By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.

4Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?

5Who raisedst up a dead man from below, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.

6Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.

7Who heardest judgment in Sina, and in Horeb the judgments of vengeance.

8Who anointedst kings to penance, and madest prophets successors after thee.

9Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.

10Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

11Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.

12For we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such.

13Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.

14No word could overcome him, and after death his body prophesied.

15In his life he did great wonders, and in death he wrought miracles.

16For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.

17And there was left but a small people, and a prince in the house of David.

18Some of these did that which pleased God: but others committed many sins.

19Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.

20In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.

21Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in pain as women in travail.

22And they called upon the Lord who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.

23He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.

24He overthrew the army of the Assyrians, and the angel of the Lord destroyed them.

25For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.

26In his days the sun wen backward, and he lengthened the king's life.

27With a great spirit he saw the things that are to come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Sion.

28He showed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things before they came.