Joshua and Caleb
Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 1. Mighty in battle was Joshua the son of Nun And successor to Moses in prophecies. He became, in accordance with his name, A great savior of God's chosen ones, To punish the enemies who rose up against them That he might give Israel its inheritance. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 2. How glorious he was when he lifted up his hands And stretched out his sword against the cities. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 3. Who stood so firm before him? For he led the wars for the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 4. Was not the sun held back by his hand, And one day become as two? Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 5. He called upon the Most High, the Lord, When enemies oppressed him from all sides. Then the great Lord answered him With hailstones of mighty power. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 6. He shattered that nation with war, And at the descent of Beth Horon He destroyed his opponents, So the nations might know his full armor, That he fought his battle in the sight of the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 7. For indeed he followed behind the Lord. Even in the days of Moses he showed mercy, He and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh: They withstood the assembly To prevent the people from sinning And to stop their evil murmuring. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 8. Indeed, these two alone were preserved From the six hundred thousand on foot, To lead them into an inheritance, Into a land flowing with milk and honey. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 9. The Lord gave Caleb strength And remained with him until old age; For he went up to the hill country, And his seed took it as an inheritance, Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 10. So all the children of Israel Might know that it is good to follow the Lord.
The Judges
Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 11. The judges also, each by his name, Those whose heart did not fall into idolatry, And whoever did not turn away from the Lord— May their memory be blessed! Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 12. May their bones revive from their place, And may the name of those honored live again in their sons!
Samuel
Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 13. The prophet of the Lord, Samuel, beloved by his Lord, Established a kingdom and anointed rulers for his people. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 14. He judged the assembly by the law of the Lord, And the Lord watched over Jacob. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 15. By his faithfulness he proved to be a true prophet, And by his words he was known to be faithful in vision. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 16. Thus he called upon the Lord, the Mighty One, When enemies troubled him on every side, And when he offered a young lamb. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 17. Then the Lord thundered from heaven And with a great sound made His voice heard. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 18. He destroyed the leaders of the Tyrians And all the rulers of the Philistines. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 19. And before the time of his sleep in perpetuity, Samuel called men to witness Before the Lord and His anointed: “I have not taken any man's possessions, Even to my sandals.” Indeed, no man brought any charges against him. Wisdom of Sirach 46, verse 20. Even after he fell asleep, he prophesied And showed the king his end, And raised up his voice out of the earth With a prophecy to wipe away the lawlessness of the people.