Sirach 44
1 Let us now praise famous men, and
our fathers that begat us. 2 The Lord
hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning.
3 Such as did bear rule in their
kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding,
and declaring prophecies: 4 leaders of
the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the
people, wise and eloquent in their instruction:
5 such as found out musical tunes, and
recited verses in writing: 6 rich men
furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations:
7 all these were honoured in their
generations, and were the glory of their times.
8 There be of them that have left a
name behind them, that their praises might be reported.
9 And some there be, which have no
memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as
though they had never been born; and their children after them.
10 But these were merciful men, whose
righteousness hath not been forgotten.
11 With their seed shall continually
remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant.
12 Their seed standeth fast, and
their children for their sakes.
13 Their seed shall remain for ever,
and their glory shall not be blotted out.
14 Their bodies are buried in peace;
but their name liveth for evermore.
15 The people will tell of their
wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise.
16 Enoch pleased the Lord, and was
translated, being an example of repentance to all generations.
17 Noah was found perfect and
righteous; in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange [for the world;]
therefore was he left as a remnant unto the earth, when the flood came.
18 An everlasting covenant was made
with him, that all flesh shall perish no more by the flood.
19 Abraham was a great father of many
people: in glory was there none like unto him;
20 who kept the law of the most High,
and was in covenant with him: he established the covenant in his flesh; and
when he was proved, he was found faithful.
21 Therefore he assured him by an
oath, that he would bless the nations in his seed, and that he would multiply
him as the dust of the earth, and exalt his seed as the stars, and cause them
to inherit from sea to sea, and from the river unto the utmost part of the
land.
22 With Isaac did he establish
likewise, for Abraham his father's sake, the blessing of all men, and the
covenant, 23 and made it rest upon
the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessing, and gave him an
heritage, and divided his portions; among the twelve tribes did he part them.