Ecclesiasticus Or The Wisdom Of Jesus The Son Of Sirach

Apocrypha

by Anonymous (Introduction), C. Lewis Hind (Introduction), Violet Brunton (Translator)

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Christian, Spirituality, Audiobook, Poetry

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Alex]

The Book of Ecclesiasticus or the Wisdom of Ben Sirach was one of the last books of the Old Testament to be written, apparently dating back to the second century before Christ, around the same time as the dramatic events described in the Book of Maccabees. For historical reasons not all denominations consider it to be inspired, but it is still widely respected.

I loved this book and thought it would be especially great for use in a Bible study. It remains focused throughout on one theme, wisdom: "all wisdom comes from the Lord and with him it remains forever," and the reader is reminded that to approach wisdom, and hence God, isn't easy. "My son when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials."

The author severely condemns sins like lust, gluttony, and sloth, reminding the reader that sin not only destroys you spiritually, it can also have worldly consequences. "Violence and arrogance wipe out wealth; so too a proud man's home is destroyed."

Prayer, humility, mortification are prescribed. Discipline is described as a manner of drawing closer to wisdom. The enjoyments of life may provide some necessary relief as well. "Gladness of heart is the very life of man...distract yourself, renew your courage," but they must be kept in perspective. "Call no man happy before his death, for by how he ends, a man is known." If I recall, Solon expressed the same sentiment to Croesus in the Histories of Herodotus. Life isn't easy, but its our challenge to make it worth it "for in fire gold is tested and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation."

Life is mysterious. We're each allotted widely different opportunities in life. "With his great knowledge the Lord makes men unlike, in different paths he has them walk," and then some people abuse their vocations. "There are those of great intelligence who violate the law", but "envy not a sinner's fame, for you know not what disaster awaits him." It's not very wise to be obsessed over worldly achievement. "Why are dust and ashes proud?...a king today-tomorrow he is dead." "The prince, the ruler, the judge are in honor; but none is greater than he who fears God."

The author goes on to praise the vocation of the plowman, the engraver, the smith, and the potter. "All of these men are skilled with their hands, each one an expert at his own task; without them no city could be lived in." Earlier the reader was also reminded to "hate not laborious tasks, not farming which was ordained by the Most High." We may each have our own vocations but like the various professionals working in harmony to be able to make city life possible, all of our lives will fit harmoniously into God's plan.

We must approach each other in charity, and a good part of the book is dedicated to conduct with others: helping the needy, being charitable with your friends, being prudent in choosing your friends. Verse after verse, much more than I ever would've expected is about being careful with your words, as if your life depended on it, and I guess sometimes it may.

I have to say some of my favorite passages in the book had to do with family, the affectionate joys and concerns that will accompany having children, "a daughter is a treasure that keeps her father wakeful," the respect due to parents, "he who honors his father atones for his sins; he stores up riches who reveres his mother," but also the beauty that can result from matrimony, "like the sun rising in the Lord's heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home." "A woman's beauty makes her husband's face light up for it surpasses all else that charms the eye and if, besides, her speech is kindly his lot is beyond that of mortal men. A wife is her husband's richest treasure, a helpmate, a steadying column."

I have read elsewhere that "the [medieval] Italian poets preferred...to love women as embodiment of pure and abstract beauty or as symbols of divine wisdom and philosophy." I couldn't help but notice a bit of the latter here. Wisdom is repeatedly personified as female. "Worthless men will not attain to her, haughty men will not behold her. Far from impious is she, not to be spoken of by liars." Using this same motif is actually how the book ends. "I became resolutely devoted to her-the good I persistently strove for...I became preoccupied with her never weary of extolling her...for her I purified my hands; in cleanness I attained to her..."

Much like a virtuous wife however, wisdom ought to bring you ultimately closer to God, the source of all wisdom, beauty, and good. "Happy the man who meditates upon these things, wise the man who takes them to heart. If he puts them into practice, he can cope with anything, for the fear of the Lord is his lamp."

[Meka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why am I getting progressively angrier as I read this book?

At first, I was nodding along, appreciating the wisdom—caution, discernment in friendships, knowing one’s place in social dynamics. All solid, reasonable advice. But then, my mental rating took a nosedive: from five stars to four, then three, then two. (And that’s me being generous, out of residual respect for its didactic intent and a handful of genuinely wise verses.)

Then, as I kept reading, something became painfully clear: alongside the peaceful, sensible teachings, there’s a torrent of unabashed misogyny.

Suddenly, the Apostle Paul feels refreshingly egalitarian in comparison. Paul acknowledges reciprocal respect between men and women, highlighting the necessity of mutual upliftment in Christ. But this writer? He’s out here throwing around demeaning labels and preaching a suffocating lack of freedom for daughters. Don’t show them your happiness. Don’t let them talk. Keep them silent. Excuse me? Instead of teaching both sons and daughters wisdom and virtue, this book reduces women to tools for a man's reputation. A wife exists solely to bring him honour? Nonsense.

And then there’s the parenting advice. Look, discipline is one thing, but “don’t smile at your child”? “Play with your child, and he’ll bring you grief”? What kind of detached, joyless existence is being promoted here? Love and discipline are not mutually exclusive. If you think affection spoils a child, that’s a you problem, not a divine mandate. A child needs not just guidance but also emotional and spiritual nourishment.

Back to the treatment of women—because apparently, this book won’t let me look away from the train wreck. The imbalance is glaring from the start. Respect and deference flow disproportionately to the father, while the mother gets, at best, a passing nod. And then there are these gems:

Sirach 42:9 – “A daughter causes her father hidden worries; anxiety on her account keeps him awake.”
Oh, so daughters are burdens now? Got it.

Sirach 42:14 – “Better a man’s wickedness than a woman’s kindness; women bring shame and disgrace.”
I physically paused when I read this. What kind of nonsense is this? How is this remotely aligned with God's intent? He created both sons and daughters in His image—where does this outright contempt fit into that vision?

And honestly, Sirach 51:9? “I looked for human comfort, and there was none.”
Yeah, mate, I can tell.

At this point, I couldn’t even focus on the rest of the book. How do statements of exaltation and praise for our Heavenly Father coexist with such glaring disdain for half of His creation? How does this man, who shares a name with Jesus Christ (Yeshua), have the audacity to say such crude, demeaning things? No wonder the Greeks didn’t bother translating this book in full—they must have sensed something was off.

And the ultimate irony? He confidently personifies wisdom as a woman. A woman. Yet spends so much time degrading them.

Learn from the book of Tobit! Judith! Or even read what Jesus himself says and acted. Goodness.

I am glad this is not in the canonical Bible.

[Cameron Rhoads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Physically read as I work my way through the Apocrypha.

[Brittany Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been slowly working my way through the Apocrypha and really enjoyed this longer book! So many similarities to Proverbs with comments that even struck me to have a New Testament flavor.

“Call no man fortunate before his death; it is by his end that a man will be known.”

[Derek DeMars · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've recently been working my way through the Apocryphal/deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament. There was quite a bit I enjoyed in Ben Sirach -- a sequel of sorts to the wisdom literature in the Old Testament (like Proverbs, which Ben Sirach obviously drew heavily from). The Book of Sirach may have served as a curriculum of sorts for Jewish students to learn traditional wisdom rooted in Jewish piety during a time when there was pressure to conform to encroaching Greek culture and values.

There are some very clear echoes of this book that show up in New Testament teaching, with the books of Matthew and James making plentiful references or allusions to it. For example, Jesus' teaching on not babbling in prayer = Sirach 7:14; forgiving others so God will forgive you = Sir 28:2; and storing up heavenly treasure through almsgiving = Sir 29:7-13. James 1's language of how God will never tempt anyone draws on Sirach 15:11-20. Being quick to listen and slow to speak comes from Sir 5:11. It's clear that this book of Jewish wisdom was highly influential for Christ and his apostles, furnishing many of the concepts they would later work with.

Sirach is also important as an example of how Jewish concepts of Wisdom as a personified figure (first introduced in Proverbs 8) continued to develop in the time between the Old and New Testaments, to the point where it was almost divinized (see Sir 24). Sirach mentions God sustaining creation by his word and his wisdom -- concepts later taken up in the New Testament and applied to Jesus, similarly to how the concept of the Logos would be developed by Philo and then utilized in John's Gospel.

Ben Sirach offers many insightful and pithy reflections on various aspects of life, especially on subjects like friendship, navigating the social ladder, managing one's household, education and trade, moderation and health, and of course religious piety. Among some of the standout quotes for me were: "Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will fight for you" (4:28); "Let those who are friendly with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand" (6:6); "A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue" (20:18); and "Wine and music gladden the heart, but the love of friends is better than either" (40:20).

Among his advice that remains surprisingly relevant for modern readers, Sirach offers excellent perspective on being willing to receive help from doctors and medicines, knowing that God put those on this earth for our benefit (38:1-15). Also great is his advice to give charitably to all those in need "for the commandment's sake" instead of worrying about being duped (29:7-13). And one proverb that was hilariously sassy: "Do not make fun of one who is ill-bred, or your ancestors may be insulted" (8:4)!

Not everything in Sirach is to be commended, though. He encourages beating unruly slaves (yikes), and there are a number of intensely misogynistic passages (25:13-26; 26:10-12; 42:9-14). We could do without such opinions as "The birth of a daughter is a loss" (22:3), and "Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; it is woman who brings shame and disgrace" (42:14). While I'm tempted to chalk this up to Ben Sirach being a man of his times, some of these sayings are just obviously harsh. In his introduction to the Apocrypha, David deSilva mentions that this negativity toward women played a role in later Jewish and Christian interpreters downplaying the book's authority as a sacred writing, or at least seeking to find its worth in its other passages.

We should not be surprised, then, at its exclusion from canonical status among several parts of the Christian tradition. In many parts of the early church, Sirach was treated a bit like an ancient version of 12 Rules for Life -- one philosopher's advice on pursuing the good life, popular as a devotional read among new disciples, but not widely held as equal to the canonical books.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus Syrak har bra balans mellan snällhet och restriktion. Resten av boken är allmänna goda råd med fokus på ansvarstagande och medmänsklighet. Men så kommer detta, vilket jag tycker är genuint bra. Man ska inte belöna dåligt uppträdande.

Jesus Syrak > Jesus från Nasaret

12 1Hjälper du någon, se då till vem det är;
då får du tack för din välgärning.
2Hjälp den fromme, och du blir belönad,
om inte av honom så av den Högste.
3Den får inget gott som framhärdar i ondska
och aldrig själv ger en gåva.
4Ge åt den fromme och ta dig inte an syndaren.
5Hjälp den ödmjuke och ge ingenting åt den gudlöse.
Behåll bröden och ge honom ingenting,
så att han inte får övertag över dig.
Ty för allt gott som du gör mot honom
får du dubbelt så mycket ont i gengäld.
6Också den Högste hatar ju syndare,
och han ger de gudlösa deras rättmätiga straff.
7Ge åt den som är god och ta dig inte an syndaren.

NOTES FROM 2016

Sirach is all about how one should live, and can only be summarized like this: It is what you would expect from a Hellenized Jew – and you should expect to be surprised.

A few examples of what the book contains:

The outdated: “If a father has daughters he should guard their virtue and never give them kind looks”
The platitudes: “Do not blame before you examine, think first, then judge.”
The surprising: “He who touches tar gets dirty, and he who socializes with a vain man becomes like him”

90% of the text consists of pieces of advice like those above, but the first chapter philosophical and talks about the nature of truth as well as the two cardinal values according to Sirach: God-fearing and Wisdom. He uses the word wisdom in its conventional sense, but god-fearing needs a bit of explanation. As it has been a buzzword for at least two millennia it has lost whatever meaning it once had (kind of like democracy is getting vaguer by the year).

To understand what Sirach means I look at the real words he uses in conjunction to fear of god:
“ 11 The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness. 12 The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.13 For those who fear the Lord, all will end well: on their dying day they will be blessed.” And “20 The root of Wisdom is to fear the lord, and her branches are a long life.”

So to Sirach god fearing gives goodies like joy and a long life, but it is honorable and the root of Wisdom. Seems like he uses god-fearing like a (sophisticated) modern would use the term ‘the good life’ or a Greek would use ‘eudemonia’.

For me this is an obvious five-star-book, the language is great and the peak into how the ancients thought is exactly the kind of thing I like.


A post-script quibble
The first line of the book spells out exactly what I think is dangerous about Christianity “All wisdom comes from the lord and is with him in perpetuity.” Ask yourself what piece of wisdom that the ancients thought was perpetual is still seen as true? The belief that there is immortal truth and that you hold it is a trap for the mind and a heavy cross for society to bear.

But just a few lines later Sirach has a line that would make religions much less dangerous if heeded: “One alone is wise. Immense and terrible he sits at his thrown: the lord.” So Sirach says there is immortal truth but no one can claim to know it.

[Christian Proano · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far enjoying the book, one without looking hard can find a few connections with the New Testament, the clearest so far: "Forgive a wrong done you by your neighbor; then your sins will be pardoned when you pray. Can a man preserve wrath against his neighbor and still seek healing from the Lord? Can he show no mercy toward a man like himself and still beg God for mercy for himself?"

On another grid: "Honor the physician with the honor due him... for the Lord created him... the Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not loathe them... He gave skill to men, that He might be glorified in His wonders." - this would put an end to the pseudo-debate between medicine vs prayer that many Christians hold.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of a series where I am reading the Bible in chronological order. I am not doing this for reasons of faith, as I am agnostic, but because of my interest in mythology, ancient literature, and history. I chose the NRSV because I used to be Catholic and still have sympathies there. More importantly, this version seeks a balance between an accurate translation and the literary qualities of the King James Bible. So it seems you get the best of two worlds.

This reminds me of Proverbs but there is more poetry and insight here, although certainly the tenants will make any progressive circa 2022 curl. If it were not so long I might rate it higher, although it certainly is not the slog of other more famous books of similar length.

[Ben Koops · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apocriefe wijsheidsliteratuur die eigenlijk als een soort verdieping van prediker werkt, de auteur was duidelijk overbekend met de Thora en de andere overleveringen. Toch is de thematiek weer net subtiel anders, de heilige Nicodemus haalt in zijn unseen warfare Sirach veelvuldig aan. Dus het wordt nog steeds gezien als betrouwbare bron, we hebben hier ook weer het bekende pessimisme van kohelet, de enigszins dubbele houding tegenover de vrouw en een soort verzameling volksspreuken. Vergelijkbaar met wat je waarschijnlijk in de Edda kunt vinden maar meer Talmoedisch georiënteerd, ik had een oudere vertaling dus het was weer genieten van de tale Kanaäns. Nog een stukje verdieping hierop zou je kunnen vinden in de Erek Rabatz, the way of the sages. Fijne brokjes zoals: ''zit niet neer tussen de vrouwen'' maar ook wel mooie dingen zoals ''voer uw werken uit met zachtmoedigheid'' of ''vertrouw uzelf in alle goede werken''. Het blijft aards en herkenbaar zoals hier: ''In de goede dagen vergeet men het kwade, en in de kwade dagen wordt aan het goede niet gedacht.'' of ''Die tegen zichzelf kwaad is, wie zal hij goed zijn?''. Natuurlijk ook de vermaningen om je zoon te tuchtigen, de wijn te gebruiken en aalmoezen te geven. Maar vlak bij het eind komt er toch iets van een autobiografisch stukje als ben Sirach mysterieus zegt: ''Ik heb veel dingen gezien in mijn afdwaling, en het is mijn verstand, dat mijn rede gedaante geeft.'' Misschien moeten we het maar het beste houden bij Multatuli, die zegt: ''Neem een raad. Deze: dat ge geen raad aanneemt.''

[Aaron White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of practical wisdom for living well in this book from the Apocrypha, which I had not read before. Very similar to Proverbs, but sadly with even more of the advice on how bad women ruin men. Lots of good stuff in there as well though.

[Allen Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be the most misogynistic book I've ever read, so there's that. But it also contains several invaluable nuggets of wisdom regarding self-love (a much neglected virtue in the Christian tradition; 14:5; 14:11), and serves as an interesting counterpoint for the teachings of a different Jesus, two centuries later. Fascinating ancient book.

[Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was able to read it in two days however it just took me days to review this on. I learned a lot from this book on how to respect your parents, be always excited going yo church and pay the physician what is due

[Paht (Pat) Satjipanon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Book of Sirach, reads to me like the "academic journal article" of the deutero-cannonical texts, and is a compilation of hymns, proverbs but also includes subjective commentary from the author (Jesus ben Sirach), a Hellenistic Jewish scholar.

It reads like a unified essay, combining the readings from Genesis to the Book of Prophets (major and minor). It is clear that the author studied scripture in his youth and is attempting to consolidate all his learnings in one big piece.

This was the longest "Wisdom" book out from Old Testament related literature (51 chapters)! Chapters 1 to 23 focus on the concept of the fear of God, jewish moral codes, and ethics at the time. Chapters 24 to 43 emphasise how Gods wisdom permeates the universe, that the Second Temple is the true "Tree of Life" and how one must live according to Gods covenant.

Still, I have some serious issues with this book. While Sirach covers and summarises many beautiful aspects of wisdom (duties to the lord, humility, almsgiving, percepts for everyday living, friendship, pride, self-control, and more), he inserts too many of his personal views that are clouded by his patriarchal upper class upbringing.

For example, he has many backwards or biased views towards slaves, the less-educated and women (which irk me the wrong way), notably:
- "I would rather live with lion and a dragon than live with an evil woman ."
- "Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman does good".
- "A woman's wickedness changes her appearance and darkens her face like that of a bear".

For an author who preaches against pride and being "double-tongued," I cannot help but find this man a hypocrite. He has another section on the activity of a scribe (which I would normally agree with), but in this context...it comes across as very self-boasting: "Their memory will not disappear, and their names will live through all generations". I find this deeply ironic, considering this text was removed from many biblical canons.

I also dislike how he says, "dreams mean nothing." Sirach is so obsessed with tradition and logical thinking that he thinks "the senseless have vain and false hopes, and dreams give wings to fools".

Finally, Chapters 44 to 51 are a great retelling of Jewish history, describing Israel's heroes from Enoch to Nehemiah (Genesis to the Book of Prophets). He even adds and describes how Simon, Son of Onios (a new high priest) aided the spiritual re-establishing of the Second Temple. Yet... there are no mentions of Deborah, Rahab, Ruth or Esther? The Book of Sirach ends again with his personal thoughts. He states that he "detests" Seir (Edom), the Phillistines, and Shechem (Samaritans). There is too much of his own criticisms rather than trying to convey the Word of God.

In summary: I respect and appreciate how Sirach is well-versed in his historical analysis. However, a full reading of the text reveals too much of his bias, personal views and ego that in my opinion 'poison' the impact and weight of this book.

[Zachary Bemrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Sira, also known as Joshua ben Sirach or Jesus ben Sira, was a Hellenistic Jewish scribe, sage, and allegorist who lived during the 2nd century BCE in Jerusalem under Seleucid control during the Second Temple period. He is best known for being the author of the "Book of Sirach," which is also referred to as "Ecclesiasticus" or "The Wisdom of Ben Sira."

Here are some key points about Ben Sira:

- **Authorship**: Ben Sira wrote his work in Hebrew, likely between 180–175 BCE. His full name is given in the Hebrew version as Simeon b. Jeshua b. Eleazar b. Sira, though in Christian tradition, he is often referred to as "Jesus, the son of Sirach of Jerusalem" due to the Greek translation.

- **Content of His Work**: The "Book of Sirach" is a collection of wisdom literature, similar to Proverbs, providing ethical teachings, advice on various aspects of life, and praise for wisdom, with a focus on living according to Jewish law and tradition. It discusses topics like friendship, wealth, health, and the importance of wisdom in relation to the Law of Moses.

- **Translation and Influence**: Ben Sira's grandson translated the book into Greek around 132-131 BCE in Egypt, which led to its inclusion in the Christian Old Testament (in the Septuagint and later in the Catholic and Orthodox canons). Although not part of the Jewish biblical canon, it was known to and cited in rabbinic literature and medieval Jewish poetry.

- **Historical Context**: Ben Sira lived during a time when Jewish identity was influenced by Greek culture. His writings reflect this by occasionally incorporating Greek thought while predominantly adhering to Jewish law and tradition.

- **Manuscripts**: The original Hebrew text was lost for centuries but was rediscovered through fragments found in the Cairo Genizah in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, along with other ancient manuscripts from Masada and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

[Julia P · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I read the Wikipedia article about the book of Sirach, I thought it was cool that Jesus seemed to be in dialogue with the Book of Sirach, having at least read it or people knew about it enough for him to reference it. For example, in Matthew 11:28, Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest", where Sirach has "See with your own eyes that I have laboured but little and found for myself much serenity." (Sirach 51:27)

However, overall, I'm really glad Sirach was not canonical in the tradition I grew up in or follow now. Some fundamentalists would have a field day with 42:14, "Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace." and 30:1, "He who loves his son will whip him often, so that he may rejoice at the way he turns out."

[Aaron Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord God shall fight for thee.
‭‭Ecclesiasticus‬ ‭4‬:‭28‬


Be swift to hear; And with patience make thine answer. If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; And if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth.
‭‭Ecclesiasticus‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭


Give not thy soul unto a woman, That she should set her foot upon thy strength.
‭‭Ecclesiasticus‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬

Turn away thine eye from a comely woman, And gaze not on another's beauty: By the beauty of a woman many have been led astray; And herewith love is kindled as a fire.
‭‭Ecclesiasticus‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬


In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.
‭‭Ecclesiasticus‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬


He himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel; if thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to perform acceptable faithfulness. He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch forth thy hand unto whether thou wilt. Before man is life and death; and whether him liketh shall be given him.
‭‭Ecclesiasticus‬ ‭15‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭


He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
‭‭Ecclesiasticus‬ ‭19‬:‭24‬

[Cal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord, remain in justice and in fear, and prepare yourself for temptation.* Set your heart right and be steadfast, incline your ear, and receive words of understanding, and do not be hasty in time of calamity. Await God’s patience, cling to him and do not depart, that you may be wise in all your ways. Accept whatever is brought upon you, and endure it in sorrow; in changes that humble you be patient. For gold and silver are tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in God, and he will help you; hope in him, and he will make your ways straight. Stay in fear of him, and grow old in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and turn not aside, lest you fall. - Sirach 2:1-7

[Ronald Chevalier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the longer books of the Apocrypha. It is part wisdom literature, worship canticles, and repetition of Old Testament figures and their experiences. It does have a few interesting twists not found elsewhere such as the advice to “ give honor to physicians the honor they are due” for God made them and made the medicines. There is a trust in God but also recognize that he works through humans message there.

[nom.0_0]

Been suggested Ecclesiastes, Proverbs & Sirach by an ardent Cristian (for a general grasp of Christian philosophy).

While simultaneously reading Nietzsche’s work. It’s understandable why Nietzsche refers to Christian philosophy as having Kleinen-Seelen-Geruch.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Full of wisdom for all of us.

[Alysha Gaskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, inspiring and beautiful book of wisdom, piety and praise.

[Photovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of great practical wisdom.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the style of proverbs

[Ancie Wilfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom that's applicable across the ages!

[Prince Jhonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

catholic jewel

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is rating a book that many consider Scripture with 4 stars blasphemous? Heh.

Helpful for me to understand 2nd Temple Judaism better!

[Sharon VanAllen]

I continue to find wisdom and relevance from these books of the Apocrypha, although I am Protestant. God’s power and peace to the world in this time of turmoil in the world.🙏🙏🙏

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

The metaphors for pursuing wisdom are beautiful.

[Ralph Wechuli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of wisdom to be savored and meditated upon...