Read & explore together
Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure
In this wisdom passage from Sirach, a Catholic additional book, the speaker calls for praise of earlier generations. The verses honour many kinds of people, then focus on mercy, righteous deeds, wisdom and lasting remembrance.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Sirach 44:1–15 opens with a shared call to praise ancestors. It describes different honoured roles among them, contrasts those who are remembered with those who are not, and closes by highlighting mercy, righteous deeds, covenant, wisdom and public praise.
Sirach 44:1–15Main takeaway
This passage teaches that many kinds of lives may be honoured, but it especially remembers mercy, righteous deeds and wisdom.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Praise begins with the Lord’s workThe opening is a shared call: “Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations.”
Explanation
The opening is a shared call: “Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations.” Their honour is not treated as theirs alone, because the next verse says the Lord created great glory in them by his mighty power from the beginning. Praise here recognises both the ancestors and God’s work.
02Many kinds of people are honouredThe passage lists rulers, counsellors, prophets, leaders, instructors, writers, musicians and rich people living peaceably in their homes.
Explanation
The passage lists rulers, counsellors, prophets, leaders, instructors, writers, musicians and rich people living peaceably in their homes. This shows a wide range of roles and abilities. Their counsel, understanding, instruction, writing, music and peaceful living are all noticed, and they were honoured in their generations.
03Some are remembered, others are notNext comes a strong contrast. Some left a name behind them, so others still declare their praises.
Explanation
Next comes a strong contrast. Some left a name behind them, so others still declare their praises. Others have no memory and are described as though they had not been. The writer does not explain more here. He simply states that remembrance is not the same for everyone.
04Mercy and wisdom continue in later generationsThe final verses focus on “men of mercy” whose righteous deeds are not forgotten. A good inheritance remains with their offspring, their children are within the covenant, and their offspring stand fast.
Explanation
The final verses focus on “men of mercy” whose righteous deeds are not forgotten. A good inheritance remains with their offspring, their children are within the covenant, and their offspring stand fast. Their bodies were buried in peace, their name lives on, and people continue to declare their wisdom and praise.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the opening connect praise of the ancestors with the Lord?
Use both opening verses: the ancestors are praised, but their glory is also said to be created by the Lord’s mighty power.
02What range of roles and abilities does Sirach honour here?
List the kinds of people named in the middle of the passage and notice how many forms of leadership, wisdom, writing, music and peaceful life are included.
03According to these verses, what is said about the people whose honour lasts?
Notice the words mercy, righteous deeds, covenant, offspring, name, wisdom and public praise in the closing verses.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 44:1–15
1Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations.
2The Lord created great glory in them— his mighty power from the beginning.
3Some ruled in their kingdoms and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding. Some have spoken in prophecies,
4leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their understanding, giving instruction for the people. Their words in their instruction were wise.
5Some composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing,
6rich men endowed with ability, living peaceably in their homes.
7All these were honored in their generations, and were outstanding in their days.
8Some of them have left a name behind them, so that others declare their praises.
9But of others, there is no memory. They perished as though they had not been. They become as though they had not been born, they and their children after them.
10But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten.
11A good inheritance remains with their offspring. Their children are within the covenant.
12Their offspring stand fast, with their children, for their sakes.
13Their offspring will remain forever. Their glory won’t be blotted out.
14Their bodies were buried in peace. Their name lives to all generations.
15People will declare their wisdom. The congregation proclaims their praise.