Ecclesiasticus 44 — Douay-Rheims Bible

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.●