Sirach 44

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us.	1 Let us praise the men of glory, and our ancestors in their generation.
2 The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning.	2 The Lord has wrought great glory, by his own magnificence, from ancient times.
3 Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies:	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.
4 Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent are their instructions:	4 And there are those who rule over the present generation, by the virtue of prudence, with very holy words for the people.
5 Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing:	5 There are those who, by their skill, compose musical themes, so as to set the verses of Scripture to music.
6 Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations:	6 There are men rich in virtue, who make a study of beauty, who live in peacefulness in their houses.
7 All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times.	7 All these obtained glory in their generations, and they had praise in their days.
8 There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.	8 They left behind a name for those who were born of them, so that their praises might be described.
9 And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them.	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.
10 But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten.	10 But these were men of mercy, whose pious deeds have not failed.
11 With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant.	11 Good things continue with their offspring.
12 Their seed standeth fast, and their children for their sakes.	12 Their descendents are a holy inheritance, and their offspring stand firm in the covenants.
13 Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out.	13 And because of them, their sons remain even unto eternity. Their offspring and their glory will not be forsaken.
14 Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.	14 Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives on, from generation to generation.
15 The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise.	15 Let the people declare their wisdom, and let the Church announce their praise.
16 Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, being an example of repentance to all generations.	16 Enoch pleased God, and he was transferred to Paradise, so that he might offer repentance to the nations.
17 Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange [for the world;] therefore was he left as a remnant unto the earth, when the flood came.	17 Noah was found to be perfect and just, and so, in the time of wrath, he was made a reconciliation.
18 An everlasting covenant was made with him, that all flesh should perish no more by the flood.	18 As a result, there was a remnant left for the earth, when the great flood was made.
19 Abraham was a great father of many people: in glory was there none like unto him;	19 The covenants of the world were placed with him, so that all flesh would not be wiped away by the great flood.
20 Who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him: he established the covenant in his flesh; and when he was proved, he was found faithful.	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.
21 Therefore he assured him by an oath, that he would bless the nations in his seed, and that he would multiply him as the dust of the earth, and exalt his seed as the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the river unto the utmost part of the land.	21 In his flesh, he caused the covenant to stand, and when tested, he was found to be faithful.
22 With Isaac did he establish likewise [for Abraham his father's sake] the blessing of all men, and the covenant, And made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessing, and gave him an heritage, and divided his portions; among the twelve tribes did he part them.	22 Therefore, by an oath, he gave glory to him among his people, so as to increase him like the dust of the earth,
23 []	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.
	24 And he acted in like manner toward Isaac, because of his father Abraham.
	25 The Lord gave the blessing of all the nations to him, and he confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.
	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.
	27 And he preserved for him men of mercy, who were found to have grace before the eyes of all flesh.