All Souls Day: "Praise the Godly"

I will now praise the godly,

our ancestors, in their own time,

the abounding glory of the Most High's portion,

his own part, since the days of old.

 

Subduers of the land in kingly fashion,

renowned for their might,

counselors in their prudence,

seers of all things in prophecy,

resolute princes of the flock,

lawgivers and their rules,

sages skilled in composition,

authors of sharp proverbs,

composers of melodious psalms,

writers of lyric poems;

 

Stalwart, solidly established,

at peace in their own estates--

all these were glorious in their time,

illustrious in their day.

 

Some left behind a name

so that people recount their praises.

 

Of others no memory remains,

for when they perished, they perished,

as if they had never lived,

they and their children after them.

 

Yet these also were godly;

their virtues have not been forgotten.

Their wealth remains in their families,

their heritage with their descendants.

-Sirach 44:1-11

 

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.