Ben Sira 44:13-23

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.
15 The assembly declares their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise.
16 Enoch pleased the Lord and was taken up, an example of repentance to all generations.
17 Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he kept the race alive; therefore a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came.
18 Everlasting covenants were made with him that all flesh should never again be blotted out by a flood.
19 Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and no one has been found like him in glory.
20 He kept the law of the Most High, and entered into a covenant with him; he certified the covenant in his flesh, and when he was tested he proved faithful.
21 Therefore the Lord assured him with an oath that the nations would be blessed through his offspring; that he would make him as numerous as the dust of the earth, and exalt his offspring like the stars, and give them an inheritance from sea to sea and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
22 To Isaac also he gave the same assurance for the sake of his father Abraham. The blessing of all people and the covenant
23 he made to rest on the head of Jacob; he acknowledged him with his blessings, and gave him his inheritance; he divided his portions, and distributed them among twelve tribes. From his descendants the Lord brought forth a godly man, who found favor in the sight of all

Footnotes 5

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.