Chapter 44

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

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

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  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,  

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

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

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

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

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

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  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.  

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

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  Good things continue with their seed,  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  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.  

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

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

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  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.  

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

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

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

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

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