The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
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Let us praise the men of glory, and our ancestors in their generation.
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The Lord has wrought great glory, by his own magnificence, from ancient times.
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There are those who rule with their authority, men of great virtue, who are gifted with prudence. There are those who announce among the prophets, with the dignity of prophets.
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And there are those who rule over the present generation, by the virtue of prudence, with very holy words for the people.
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There are those who, by their skill, compose musical themes, so as to set the verses of Scripture to music.
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There are men rich in virtue, who make a study of beauty, who live in peacefulness in their houses.
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All these obtained glory in their generations, and they had praise in their days.
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They left behind a name for those who were born of them, so that their praises might be described.
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But for some of them, there is no memorial. They have passed away as if they had never existed; and they have become as if they had never been born, and their sons along with them.
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But these were men of mercy, whose pious deeds have not failed.
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Good things continue with their offspring.
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Their descendants are a holy inheritance, and their offspring stand firm in the covenants.
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And because of them, their sons remain even unto eternity. Their offspring and their glory will not be forsaken.
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Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives on, from generation to generation.
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Let the people declare their wisdom, and let the Church announce their praise.
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Enoch pleased God, and he was transferred to Paradise, so that he might offer repentance to the nations.
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Noah was found to be perfect and just, and so, in the time of wrath, he was made a reconciliation.
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As a result, there was a remnant left for the earth, when the great flood was made.
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The covenants of the world were placed with him, so that all flesh would not be wiped away by the great flood.
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Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and no one was found to be like him in glory. He observed the law of the Most High, and he formed a covenant with him.
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In his flesh, he caused the covenant to stand, and when tested, he was found to be faithful.
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Therefore, by an oath, he gave glory to him among his people, so as to increase him like the dust of the earth,
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and to exalt his offspring like the stars, and to give an inheritance to them from sea to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
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And he acted in like manner toward Isaac, because of his father Abraham.
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The Lord gave the blessing of all the nations to him, and he confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.
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He acknowledged him in his blessings, and he gave an inheritance to him, and he distributed to him the portion of the twelve tribes.
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And he preserved for him men of mercy, who were found to have grace before the eyes of all flesh.