| 1 | Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation. |
| 2 | The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning. |
| 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 | And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words. |
| 5 | Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures. |
| 6 | Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses. |
| 7 | All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days. |
| 8 | They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related: |
| 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 | But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed: |
| 11 | Good things continue with their seed, |
| 12 | Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants. |
| 13 | And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken. |
| 14 | Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation. |
| 15 | Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise. |
| 16 | Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations. |
| 17 | Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. |
| 18 | Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came. |
| 19 | The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood. |
| 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 his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful. |
| 22 | Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth, |
| 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 | And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father. |
| 25 | The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob. |
| 26 | He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes. |
| 27 | And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh. |
