Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers.
The Lord has done many magnificent things in them and through his power.
There were some who governed well and became renowned because of it.
These gave counsel and prophecy. They ruled the country and the people with wisdom and were shrewd. They gave wise instruction in their writings, and their commands contained clever sayings. They created songs and melodies and wrote poems.
They were rich and powerful men who lived peaceably in their habitations. They were all praised in their days. Even today, men still tell of them.
But others have no glory, and have perished as though they had not been. They have become as though they had not been born, and their children as well.
Their justice will not be forgotten, for they were blessed people. Their happiness
will remain with their descendants, and they will remain within God's covenant for their sake.
Their children remain forever. Their generations and their praise will not perish. They are buried in peace. People declare their wisdom. Their congregations also declare it.