Sirach

Chapter-44

Sirach 44:1 Let us praise the men of glory, and our ancestors in their generation.

 

Sirach 44:2 The Lord has wrought great glory, by his own magnificence, from ancient times.

 

Sirach 44:3 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.

 

Sirach 44:4 And there are those who rule over the present generation, by the virtue of prudence, with very holy words for the people.

 

Sirach 44:5 There are those who, by their skill, compose musical themes, so as to set the verses of Scripture to music.

 

Sirach 44:6 There are men rich in virtue, who make a study of beauty, who live in peacefulness in their houses.

 

Sirach 44:7 All these obtained glory in their generations, and they had praise in their days.

 

Sirach 44:8 They left behind a name for those who were born of them, so that their praises might be described.

 

Sirach 44:9 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.

 

Sirach 44:10 But these were men of mercy, whose pious deeds have not failed.

 

Sirach 44:11 Good things continue with their offspring.

 

Sirach 44:12 Their descendents are a holy inheritance, and their offspring stand firm in the covenants.

 

Sirach 44:13 And because of them, their sons remain even unto eternity. Their offspring and their glory will not be forsaken.

 

Sirach 44:14 Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives on, from generation to generation.

 

Sirach 44:15 Let the people declare their wisdom, and let the Church announce their praise.

 

Sirach 44:16 Enoch pleased God, and he was transferred to Paradise, so that he might offer repentance to the nations.

 

Sirach 44:17 Noah was found to be perfect and just, and so, in the time of wrath, he was made a reconciliation.

 

Sirach 44:18 As a result, there was a remnant left for the earth, when the great flood was made.

 

Sirach 44:19 The covenants of the world were placed with him, so that all flesh would not be wiped away by the great flood.

 

Sirach 44:20 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.

 

Sirach 44:21 In his flesh, he caused the covenant to stand, and when tested, he was found to be faithful.

 

Sirach 44:22 Therefore, by an oath, he gave glory to him among his people, so as to increase him like the dust of the earth,

 

Sirach 44:23 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.

 

Sirach 44:24 And he acted in like manner toward Isaac, because of his father Abraham.

 

Sirach 44:25 The Lord gave the blessing of all the nations to him, and he confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.

 

Sirach 44:26 He acknowledged him in his blessings, and he gave an inheritance to him, and he distributed to him the portion of the twelve tribes.

 

Sirach 44:27 And he preserved for him men of mercy, who were found to have grace before the eyes of all flesh.