Now will I praise those godly
men, our ancestors,each in
his time: The abounding glory
of the Most High's portion,
his own part, since the days
of old. Subduers of the land
in kingly fashion, men of
renown for their might. Or
counselors in their prudence,or seers of all
things in prophesy; Resolute princes of the
folk, and governors with their slaves; Authors skilled in composition, and forgers of epigrams with their spikes; Composers of melodious psalms. or discoursers on lyric themes; Stalwart men, solidly established and at peace in their own estates -- All these were glorious in their time,
each illustrious in his day. Some of them have left behind a name and men recount their praiseworthy deeds.

But of others there is no memory,
for when they ceased, they ceased.
And they are as though they had not lived,
they and their children after them.
Yet these also were godly men whose virtues
have not been forgotten;
Their wealth remains in their families,
their heritage with their descendants;
Through God's covenant with them their
family endures, their posterity for their sake.
And for all time their progeny will endure,
their glory will never be blotted out;
Their bodies are peacefully laid away,
but their name lives on and on.
At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the
assembly proclaims their praise.

Sirach 44, 1-15

Now will I praise those godly
men, our ancestors,each in
his time: The abounding glory
of the Most High's portion,
his own part, since the days
of old. Subduers of the land
in kingly fashion, men of
renown for their might. Or
counselors in their prudence,or seers of all
things in prophesy; Resolute princes of the
folk, and governors with their slaves; Authors skilled in composition, and forgers of epigrams with their spikes; Composers of melodious psalms. or discoursers on lyric themes; Stalwart men, solidly established and at peace in their own estates -- All these were glorious in their time,
each illustrious in his day. Some of them have left behind a name and men recount their praiseworthy deeds.

But of others there is no memory,
for when they ceased, they ceased.
And they are as though they had not lived,
they and their children after them.
Yet these also were godly men whose virtues
have not been forgotten;
Their wealth remains in their families,
their heritage with their descendants;
Through God's covenant with them their
family endures, their posterity for their sake.
And for all time their progeny will endure,
their glory will never be blotted out;
Their bodies are peacefully laid away,
but their name lives on and on.
At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the
assembly proclaims their praise.

Sirach 44, 1-15