Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Chapter 44

¹Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us. ²The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning. ³Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies: ⁴Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent are their instructions: ⁵Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing: ⁶Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations: ⁷All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times. ⁸There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.

⁹And 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. ¹⁰But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten. ¹¹With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant. ¹²Their seed standeth fast, and their children for their sakes. ¹³Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out. ¹⁴Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore. ¹⁵The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise. ¹⁶Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, being an example of repentance to all generations.

¹⁷Noah 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. ¹⁸An everlasting covenant was made with him, that all flesh should perish no more by the flood. ¹⁹Abraham was a great father of many people: in glory was there none like unto him; ²⁰Who 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. ²¹Therefore 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. ²²With Isaac did he establish likewise for Abraham his father’s sake the blessing of all men, and the covenant, ²³And 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.