Liber Ecclesiasticus, 44

1. laus patrum laudemus viros gloriosos et parentes nostros in generatione sua

1. Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation.

2. multam gloriam fecit Dominus magnificentia sua a sæculo

2. The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.

3. dominantes in potestatibus suis homines magni virtute et prudentia sua præditi nuntiantes in dignitate prophetarum

3. 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,

4. et imperantes in præsenti populo et virtute prudentiæ populi sanctissima verba

4. And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.

5. in pueritia sua requirentes modos musicos et narrantes carmina in scriptura

5. Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.

6. homines divites in virtute pulchritudinis studium habentes pacificantes in domibus suis

6. Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.

7. omnes isti in generationibus gentis suæ gloriam adepti sunt et in diebus suis habentur in laudibus

7. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.

8. qui de illis nati sunt reliquerunt nomen narrandi laudes eorum

8. They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:

9. et sunt quorum non est memoria perierunt quasi non fuerint et nati sunt quasi non nati et filii ipsorum cum illis

9. 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.

10. sed illi viri misericordiæ sunt quorum pietates non defuerunt

10. But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:

11. et cum semine ipsorum perseverat bona

11. Good things continue with their seed,

12. hereditas nepotum illorum et in testamentis stetit semen eorum

12. Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.

13. et filii ipsorum propter illos usque in æternum manet semen eorum et gloria eorum non derelinquetur

13. And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.

14. corpora ipsorum in pace sepulta sunt et nomen eorum vivet in generationes et generationes

14. Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.

15. sapientiam ipsorum narrent populi laudem eorum nuntiet ecclesia

15. Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.

16. Enoch placuit Deo et translatus est in paradiso ut det gentibus pænitentiam

16. Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.

17. Nœ inventus est perfectus justus et in tempore iracundiæ factus est reconciliatio

17. Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.

18. ideo dimissum est reliquum terræ cum factum est diluvium

18. Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.

19. testamenta sæculi posita sunt apud illum ne deleri possit diluvio omnis caro

19. The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the hood.

20. Abraham magnus pater multitudinis gentium et non est inventus similis illi in gloria qui conservavit legem Excelsi et fuit in testamento cum illo

20. 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.

21. in carne ejus stare fecit testamentum et in temptatione inventus est fidelis

21. In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.

22. ideo jurejurando dedit illi semen in gente sua crescere illum quasi terræ cumulum

22. Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,

23. et ut stellas exaltare semen ejus et hereditari illos a mari usque ad mare et a Flumine usque ad terminos terræ

23. 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.

24. et in Isaac eodem fecit modo propter Abraham patrem ipsius

24. And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.

25. benedictionem omnium gentium dedit illi et testamentum confirmavit super caput Jacob

25. The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.

26. agnovit eum in benedictionibus suis et dedit illi hereditatem et divisit ei partem in tribus duodecim

26. He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.

27. et conservavit illis homines misericordiæ invenientes gratiam in oculis omnis carnis

27. And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.