Sirach 44

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	BIBLES DES PEUPLES
1 Let us praise the men of glory, and our ancestors in their generation.	1 Faisons maintenant l’éloge des hommes illustres, de nos ancêtres l’un après l’autre.
2 The Lord has wrought great glory, by his own magnificence, from ancient times.	2 Le Seigneur leur a donné une belle gloire, une partie de sa gloire éternelle.
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.	3 Les uns furent souverains dans leur royaume, des hommes renommés pour leur énergie; d’autres ont poussé aux sages décisions, ont parlé en prophètes.
4 And there are those who rule over the present generation, by the virtue of prudence, with very holy words for the people.	4 D’autres ont guidé le peuple par leurs avis, l’ont enseigné par leurs propos pleins de sagesse.
5 There are those who, by their skill, compose musical themes, so as to set the verses of Scripture to music.	5 D’autres ont cultivé la musique, la poésie et l’art d’écrire.
6 There are men rich in virtue, who make a study of beauty, who live in peacefulness in their houses.	6 D’autres encore étaient des hommes riches, des gens puissants qui connurent la paix dans leurs domaines.
7 All these obtained glory in their generations, and they had praise in their days.	7 Tous ont connu la gloire en leur temps: ils étaient un sujet de fierté pour leurs contemporains.
8 They left behind a name for those who were born of them, so that their praises might be described.	8 Certains d’entre eux ont laissé un nom, on redit encore leurs louanges.
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.	9 D’autres sont tombés dans l’oubli, ont disparu; ce serait pareil s’ils n’avaient pas existé, et de même pour leurs descendants.
10 But these were men of mercy, whose pious deeds have not failed.	10 Mais parlons des hommes de bien dont l’action bénéfique n’a pas été oubliée.
11 Good things continue with their offspring.	11 Leurs descendants ont hérité de ce bel héritage.
12 Their descendents are a holy inheritance, and their offspring stand firm in the covenants.	12 Leur race tient fidèlement à l’Alliance, leurs enfants suivent leur exemple.
13 And because of them, their sons remain even unto eternity. Their offspring and their glory will not be forsaken.	13 Leur race durera à jamais, leur gloire ne sera pas effacée.
14 Their bodies were buried in peace, and their name lives on, from generation to generation.	14 Leurs corps ont été ensevelis dans la paix mais leur nom est vivant pour toutes les générations.
15 Let the people declare their wisdom, and let the Church announce their praise.	15 Les peuples se racontent leur sagesse et l’assemblée proclame leur louange.
16 Enoch pleased God, and he was transferred to Paradise, so that he might offer repentance to the nations.	16 Hénok plaisait au Seigneur et fut enlevé: bel exemple de conversion pour les hommes de tous les temps.
17 Noah was found to be perfect and just, and so, in the time of wrath, he was made a reconciliation.	17 Noé fut trouvé juste, parfait: il fut l’instrument de la réconciliation au temps de la Colère; grâce à lui un reste fut épargné sur la terre lorsque vint le déluge.
18 As a result, there was a remnant left for the earth, when the great flood was made.	18 Le Seigneur s’engagea avec lui pour toujours: il ne détruirait plus par les eaux l’ensemble des vivants.
19 The covenants of the world were placed with him, so that all flesh would not be wiped away by the great flood.	19 Abraham est le père illustre d’une multitude de nations; personne n’a jamais égalé sa gloire.
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.	20 Il a observé la Loi du Très-Haut qui l’a fait entrer dans son alliance; cette alliance fut inscrite dans sa chair; il resta fidèle au jour de l’épreuve.
21 In his flesh, he caused the covenant to stand, and when tested, he was found to be faithful.	21 C’est pourquoi Dieu lui fit un serment: toutes les nations seraient bénies dans sa descendance, il le multiplierait comme la poussière du sol, il élèverait jusqu’aux étoiles sa descendance, sa postérité aurait pour domaine d’une mer à l’autre, depuis l’Euphrate jusqu’où finissent les terres au couchant.
22 Therefore, by an oath, he gave glory to him among his people, so as to increase him like the dust of the earth,	22 À Isaac il renouvela cette promesse, à cause d’Abraham son père.
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.	23 Puis il fit reposer sur la tête de Jacob la bénédiction pour tous les hommes, ainsi que l’alliance; il le bénit personnellement et lui donna le pays en héritage. Il en divisa les parts et les distribua entre les douze tribus.
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.