Sirach 44

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Next let us praise il ustrious men, our ancestors in their successive generations.	1 Next let us praise il ustrious men, our ancestors in their successive generations.
2 The Lord has created an abundance of glory, and displayed his greatness from earliest times.	2 The Lord has created an abundance of glory, and displayed his greatness from earliest times.
3 Some wielded authority as kings and were renowned for their strength; others were intel igent advisersand uttered prophetic sayings.	3 Some wielded authority as kings and were renowned for their strength; others were intel igent advisersand uttered prophetic sayings.
4 Others directed the people by their advice, by their understanding of the popular mind, and by the wisewords of their teaching;	4 Others directed the people by their advice, by their understanding of the popular mind, and by the wisewords of their teaching;
5 others composed musical melodies and set down bal ads;	5 others composed musical melodies and set down bal ads;
6 others were rich and powerful, living peaceful y in their homes.	6 others were rich and powerful, living peaceful y in their homes.
7 Al these were honoured by their contemporaries and were the glory of their day.	7 Al these were honoured by their contemporaries and were the glory of their day.
8 Some of them left a name behind them, so that their praises are stil sung.	8 Some of them left a name behind them, so that their praises are stil sung.
9 While others have left no memory, and disappeared as though they had not existed. They are now asthough they had never been, and so too, their children after them.	9 While others have left no memory, and disappeared as though they had not existed. They are now asthough they had never been, and so too, their children after them.
10 But here is a list of il ustrious men whose good works have not been forgotten.	10 But here is a list of il ustrious men whose good works have not been forgotten.
11 In their descendants they find a rich inheritance, their posterity.	11 In their descendants they find a rich inheritance, their posterity.
12 Their descendants stand by the commandments and, thanks to them, so do their children's children.	12 Their descendants stand by the commandments and, thanks to them, so do their children's children.
13 Their offspring wil last for ever, their glory will not fade.	13 Their offspring wil last for ever, their glory will not fade.
14 Their bodies have been buried in peace, and their name lives on for al generations.	14 Their bodies have been buried in peace, and their name lives on for al generations.
15 The peoples will proclaim their wisdom, the assembly wil celebrate their praises.	15 The peoples will proclaim their wisdom, the assembly wil celebrate their praises.
16 Enoch pleased the Lord and was transferred to heaven, an example for the conversion of algenerations.	16 Enoch pleased the Lord and was transferred to heaven, an example for the conversion of algenerations.
17 Noah was found perfectly upright, in the time of retribution he became the heir: because of him aremnant was preserved for the earth at the coming of the Flood.	17 Noah was found perfectly upright, in the time of retribution he became the heir: because of him aremnant was preserved for the earth at the coming of the Flood.
18 Everlasting covenants were made with him that never again should every living creature perish byflood.	18 Everlasting covenants were made with him that never again should every living creature perish byflood.
19 Abraham, the great ancestor of a host of nations, no one was ever his equal in glory.	19 Abraham, the great ancestor of a host of nations, no one was ever his equal in glory.
20 He observed the Law of the Most High, and entered into a covenant with him. He confirmed thecovenant in his own flesh, and proved himself faithful under ordeal.	20 He observed the Law of the Most High, and entered into a covenant with him. He confirmed thecovenant in his own flesh, and proved himself faithful under ordeal.
21 The Lord therefore promised him on oath to bless the nations through his descendants, to multiply himlike the dust on the ground, to exalt his descendants like the stars, and to give them the land as their heritage,from one sea to the other, from the River to the ends of the earth.	21 The Lord therefore promised him on oath to bless the nations through his descendants, to multiply himlike the dust on the ground, to exalt his descendants like the stars, and to give them the land as their heritage,from one sea to the other, from the River to the ends of the earth.
22 To Isaac too, for the sake of Abraham his father, he assured	22 To Isaac too, for the sake of Abraham his father, he assured
23 the blessing of al humanity; he caused the covenant to rest on the head of Jacob. He confirmed himin his blessings and gave him the land as his inheritance; he divided it into portions, and shared it out among thetwelve tribes.	23 the blessing of al humanity; he caused the covenant to rest on the head of Jacob. He confirmed himin his blessings and gave him the land as his inheritance; he divided it into portions, and shared it out among thetwelve tribes.