Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation.2 The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.3 Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,4 And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.5 Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.6 Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.7 All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.8 They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:9 And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.10 But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:11 Good things continue with their seed,12 Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.13 And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.14 Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.15 Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
Greek prefixes, “A Hymn of the Fathers.” The author here imitates the third work of Solomon. (Haydock) — He had given rules for all virtues; and he now sets before us those who had put them in practice. (Calmet) — It was the custom to sound forth the praises of these fathers in the temple and synagogues, ver. 15. (Grotius)
Glory. Greek adds, “in them.” He was the author of all their virtue, (Haydock) and has acquired much glory by their means, (Calmet) among men; though his essential glory can never increase.
In the. Greek, “ futurity by their predictions.” Kings, judges, and prophets are praised. (Haydock) — The virtuous are justly styled kings, Genesis xxiii. (Worthington)
The present. Greek, “the people by counsels, and by the knowledge of the office of scribes of the people. Wise in speech by their instruction. ( 5. ) Seeking out,” &c. (Haydock) — Prudence and eloquence ought to appear in a ruler.
Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have?28 And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.†29 And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.
Peter had heard the word of Christ when He said, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast. Then he observed that the young man had departed sorrowful, and considered the difficulty of riches entering into the kingdom of heaven; and thereupon he put this question confidently as one who had achieved no easy matter. For though what he with his brother had left behind them were but little things, yet were they not esteemed as little with God, who considered that out of the fulness of their love they had so forsaken those least things, as they would have forsaken the greatest things if they had had them. So Peter, thinking rather of his will than of the intrinsic value of the sacrifice, asked Him confidently, Behold, we have left all.
It may be said, In all things which the Father revealed to Peter that the Son was, righteousness, sanctification, and the like, in all we have followed Thee. Therefore as a victorious athlete, he now asks what are the prizes of his contest.
Or otherwise; Whosoever shall leave all and follow Christ, he also shall receive those things that were promised to Peter. But if he has not left all, but only those things in special here enumerated, he shall receive manifold, and shall possess eternal life.
And in this world, because for his brethren after the flesh he shall find many brethren in the faith; for parents, all the Bishops and Presbyters; for sons, all that have the age of sons. The Angels also are brethren, and all they are sisters that have offered themselves chaste virgins to Christ, as well they that still continue on earth, as they that now live in heaven. The houses and lands manifold more suppose in the repose of Paradise, and the city of God. And besides all these things they shall possess eternal life.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)