43:32. Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful.
43:33. Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for he is above all praise.
43:34. When you exalt him put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for you can never go far enough.
43:35. Who shall see him, and declare him? and who shall magnify him as he is from the beginning?
43:36. There are many things hidden from us that are greater than these: for we have seen but a few of his works.
43:37. But the Lord hath made all things, and to the G.o.dly he hath given wisdom.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 44
The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
44:1. Let us now praise men of renown and our fathers in their generation.
44:2. The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.
44:3. 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,
44:4. And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.
44:5. Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.
44:6. Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.
44:7. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.
44:8. They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:
44:9. 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.
44:10. But these were men of mercy, whose G.o.dly deeds have not failed:
44:11. Good things continue with their seed,
44:12. Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.
44:13. And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
44:14. Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.
44:15. Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
44:16. Henoch pleased G.o.d, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.
44:17. Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.
44:18. Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.
44:19. The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.
44:20. Abraham was the great father of a mult.i.tude 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.
44:21. In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.
44:22. Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,
44:23. 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.
44:24. And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.
44:25. The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.
44:26. He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.
44:27. And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 45
The praises of Moses, of Aaron, and of Phinees.
45:1. Moses was beloved of G.o.d, and men: whose memory is in benediction.
45:2. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.
45:3. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.
45:4. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh.
45:5. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud.
45:6. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.
45:7. He exalted Aaron his brother, and like to himself of the tribe of Levi:
45:8. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory,
45:9. And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.
45:10. He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and an ephod, and he compa.s.sed him with many little bells of gold all round about,
45:11. That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people.
45:12. He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth:
45:13. Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.