Sirach 44:16-23

Revised Standard Version

¹⁶ Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up;
    he was an example of repentance to all generations.

¹⁷ Noah was found perfect and righteous;
    in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange;
therefore a remnant was left to the earth
    when the flood came.
¹⁸ Everlasting covenants were made with him
    that all flesh should not be blotted out by a flood.

¹⁹ Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations,
    and no one has been found like him in glory;
²⁰ he kept the law of the Most High,
    and was taken into covenant with him;
he established the covenant in his flesh,
    and when he was tested he was found faithful.
²¹ Therefore the Lord^[a] assured him by an oath
    that the nations would be blessed through his posterity;
that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth,
    and exalt his posterity like the stars,
and cause them to inherit from sea to sea
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

²² To Isaac also he gave the same assurance
    for the sake of Abraham his father.