Sirach 44

1Let us now praise godly men, our fathers in their generations.

2The Most High apportioned abundant honor, and his greatness is from everlasting.

3rulers of the land in their kingdoms, and men renowned for their might; counselors in their understanding, and seers of all things in their prophecy.

4leaders of nations in their planning, and rulers in their investigations; wise in discourse through their writings, and governors in their watches.

5investigating the structure of song according to rule, and bearing proverbs in writing.

6Men of valor, steadfast in strength, and at ease in their place.

7All these were honored in their generations, and in their days they were a glory.

8Some of them left behind a name, to be praised among their inheritance.

9And there are some for whom there is no remembrance, they ceased to be, just as they had ceased, as though they had never existed, and so did their children after them.

10But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds were not forgotten;

11But these are men of steadfast love, and their hope will not cease.

12With their offspring their good endures faithfully, and their inheritance is for their children's children.

13Their remembrance will stand forever, and their righteousness will not be forgotten.

14Their bodies were gathered in peace, and their name lives from generation to generation.

15Their wisdom is proclaimed by the assembly, and their praise is recounted by the congregation.

16Enoch was found blameless, and he walked with the LORD, and he was taken away—an example of knowledge for generation after generation.

17Noah was found righteous, blameless; at the time of destruction he became a substitute. Because of him a remnant remained, and by his covenant the flood ceased.

18An everlasting covenant was cut with him, that all flesh might not be destroyed.

19Abraham, father of a multitude of nations—no blemish was found in his honor.

20who kept the commandments of the Most High and entered into covenant with him. In his flesh he cut for him a statute, and in testing he was found faithful.

21Therefore he confirmed it to him with an oath that nations would be blessed in his offspring, and that he would give them as an inheritance from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

22And in Isaac he established, because of Abraham his father, a covenant with every firstborn, and the blessing rested on the head of Israel.

23He established him with a blessing, and gave him his inheritance; he set him over the tribes, as twelve divisions.