The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

Let us take Enoch, who was[*](Enoch) found righteous in obedience, and was translated, and death did not befall him.

Noah was found[*](Noah) faithful in his service, in foretelling a new beginning to the world, and through him the Master saved the living creatures which entered in concord into the Ark.

Abraham, who was called the Friend, was[*](Abraham) found faithful in his obedience to the words of God.

He in obedience went forth from his country and from his kindred and from his father’s house, that by leaving behind a little country and a feeble kindred and a small house he might inherit the promises of God. For God says to him,

Depart from thy land and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house to the land which I shall show thee, and I will make thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and I will magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed; and I will bless those that bless thee, and I will curse those that curse thee, and all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed in thee.

And again, when he was separated from Lot, God said to him, Lift up thine eyes and look from the place where thou art now, to the North and to the South and to the East and to the West; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it and to thy seed for ever.

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth. If a man can number the dust of the earth thy seed shall also be numbered.