The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 44 -

The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation.

The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.

Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,

And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.

Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.

Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.

All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.

They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:

And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.

But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:

Good things continue with their seed,

Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.

And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.

Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.

Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.

Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.

Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.

Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.

The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.

Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.

In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.

Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,

And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.

And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.

The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.

He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.

And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.

The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations.

The Lord created great glory in them— his mighty power from the beginning.

Some ruled in their kingdoms and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding. Some have spoken in prophecies,

leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their understanding, giving instruction for the people. Their words in their instruction were wise.

Some composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing,

rich men endowed with ability, living peaceably in their homes.

All these were honored in their generations, and were outstanding in their days.

Some of them have left a name behind them, so that others declare their praises.

But of others, there is no memory. They perished as though they had not been. They become as though they had not been born, they and their children after them.

But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten.

A good inheritance remains with their offspring. Their children are within the covenant.

Their offspring stand fast, with their children, for their sakes.

Their offspring will remain forever. Their glory won’t be blotted out.

Their bodies were buried in peace. Their name lives to all generations.

People will declare their wisdom. The congregation proclaims their praise.

Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up, an example of repentance to all generations.

Noah was found perfect and righteous. In the season of wrath, he kept the race alive. Therefore a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came.

Everlasting covenants were made with him, that all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood.

Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations. There was none found like him in glory,

who kept the law of the Most High, and was taken into covenant with him. In his flesh he established the covenant. When he was tested, he was found faithful.

Therefore he assured him by an oath that the nations would be blessed through his offspring, that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth, exalt his offspring like the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the utmost parts of the earth.

In Isaac also, he established the same assurance for Abraham his father’s sake, the blessing of all men, and the covenant.

He made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessings, gave to him by inheritance, and divided his portions. He distributed them among twelve tribes.