Ben Sira 44:4-14

4 those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people's lore; they were wise in their words of instruction;
5 those who composed musical tunes, or put verses in writing;
6 rich men endowed with resources, living peacefully in their homes—
7 all these were honored in their generations, and were the pride of their times.
8 Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise.
9 But of others there is no memory; they have perished as though they had never existed; they have become as though they had never been born, they and their children after them.
10 But these also were godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
11 their wealth will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance with their children's children.
12 Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake.
13 Their offspring will continue forever, and their glory will never be blotted out.
14 Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives on generation after generation.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Heb Compare Lat Syr: Meaning of Gk uncertain
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.