Single lesson
Sirach 44: Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure
Sirach 44:1–15; Sirach 44:16–18; Sirach 44:19–23
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. This lesson also brings together Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation, The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 44: Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that many kinds of lives may be honoured, but it especially remembers mercy, righteous deeds and wisdom. Sirach 44:16–18 remembers Enoch and Noah by stating that Enoch pleased the Lord and served as an example of repentance, while Noah was righteous, preserved life in wrath, and received everlasting covenants. Sirach 44:19–23 praises God’s covenant by showing its faithful continuation through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Welcome: Sirach 44: Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure
5 minIntroduce “Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure”, “Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation”, “The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” and locate Sirach 44:1–15; Sirach 44:16–18; Sirach 44:19–23. This passage teaches that many kinds of lives may be honoured, but it especially remembers mercy, righteous deeds and wisdom. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 44:1, Sirach 44:8, Sirach 44:15
Read and explain the passage
12 minRemember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure (Sirach 44:1–15): 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.
Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation (Sirach 44:16–18): The passage begins with Enoch. It says he “pleased the Lord, and was taken up”. Sirach does not expand the story here. Instead, it highlights what Enoch means for others: he is “an example of repentance to all generations”. The stress is on his relationship to the Lord and his continuing example.
The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Sirach 44:19–23): The passage begins by honouring Abraham as “a great father of a multitude of nations” and says “none” was found like him in glory. This is praise language. It lifts Abraham up as an outstanding figure and prepares for the covenant focus that follows in the next verses.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure”, “Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation”, “The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 44:1, Sirach 44:2, Sirach 44:16, Sirach 44:19
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “How does the opening connect praise of the ancestors with the Lord?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Sirach 44:19–23 praises God’s covenant by showing its faithful continuation through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 44:1, Sirach 44:2, Sirach 44:17, Sirach 44:22, Sirach 44:23
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 44: Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure”, “Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation”, “The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 44:1, Sirach 44:12, Sirach 44:23
Closing: return to The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
3 minRevisit Sirach 44:19–23. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 44:19, Sirach 44:21, Sirach 44:23
Questions to explore
How 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.
Sirach 44:1, Sirach 44:2
Which two words describe Noah before the passage mentions wrath and the flood?
Look at the opening description of Noah in Sirach 44:17 and quote both words together.
Sirach 44:17
How does Sirach show that the covenant did not stop with Abraham?
Notice the repeated covenant and blessing language as the passage moves from Isaac to Jacob and then to the twelve tribes.
Sirach 44:22, Sirach 44:23
Make, think or respond
Sirach 44: Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 44:1–15; Sirach 44:16–18; Sirach 44:19–23. Use “Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure”, “Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation”, “The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Sirach 44: Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Remember the ancestors whose mercy and wisdom endure”, “Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation”, “The covenant is praised through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 44:1–15; Sirach 44:16–18; Sirach 44:19–23. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 44:1–15; Sirach 44:16–18; Sirach 44:19–23. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 44
1 Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations.
2 The Lord created great glory in them— his mighty power from the beginning.
3 Some ruled in their kingdoms and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding. Some have spoken in prophecies,
4 leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their understanding, giving instruction for the people. Their words in their instruction were wise.
5 Some composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing,
6 rich men endowed with ability, living peaceably in their homes.
7 All these were honored in their generations, and were outstanding in their days.
8 Some of them have left a name behind them, so that others declare their praises.
9 But 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.
10 But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten.
11 A good inheritance remains with their offspring. Their children are within the covenant.
12 Their offspring stand fast, with their children, for their sakes.
13 Their offspring will remain forever. Their glory won’t be blotted out.
14 Their bodies were buried in peace. Their name lives to all generations.
15 People will declare their wisdom. 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 season 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 no more be blotted out by a flood.
19 Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations. There was none found like him in glory,
20 who kept the law of the Most High, and was taken into covenant with him. In his flesh he established the covenant. When he was tested, he was found faithful.
21 Therefore he assured him by an oath that the nations would be blessed through his offspring, that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth, exalt his offspring like the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the utmost parts of the earth.
22 In Isaac also, he established the same assurance for Abraham his father’s sake, the blessing of all men, and the covenant.
23 He made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessings, gave to him by inheritance, and divided his portions. He distributed them among twelve tribes.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.